MI teams with government and industry to enhance simulation capabilities
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Marine Institute and Lockheed Martin Canada announced on Tuesday, Dec. 7 a partnership that will significantly enhance the training curriculum for students while potentially helping to expand commercial markets for training and simulation
Tuesday, December 7, 2010The Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Business, and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, were joined at the official announcement in St. John’s by representatives of Lockheed Martin Canada, the Marine Institute and Memorial University. With this new partnership, Lockheed Martin Canada is providing its VISTA™ training application as part of a joint applied research and development initiative that will result in innovative and advanced training tools for a wide variety of technical professionals.
"Providing students and industry with the best possible training tools is vital to growing the aerospace and defence industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Wiseman. "Acquiring VISTA will not only enhance the Marine Institute’s identity as a leader in simulation training, but will also help generate new investment and expertise and will aid in positioning the institute and the province to attract prime military and defence contractors. This project is further proof that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to growing this important sector and helping the province become a world leader in training and research and development."
The cost of the project is being shared between the Provincial Government, Lockheed Martin Canada and the Marine Institute. The Provincial Government is contributing $125,000 under the Business Attraction Fund to support the initial demonstration phase, which will see the Marine Institute establish a dedicated laboratory to host the new technology.
"The Marine Institute has positioned itself as a world-leader in marine and ocean technology training, producing highly-skilled professionals, ready to guide our province’s ocean technology sector into the future," said Minister King. "This is an excellent model for how we and our post-secondary institutions can work with private sector companies such as Lockheed Martin Canada to strengthen our programs and capabilities."
VISTA is a simulation and training tool originally developed for the Canadian navy to train technicians in the operations, maintenance and repair of complex systems and equipment onboard Canadian vessels. It has been adopted by navies in Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States.
In partnership with the Marine Institute, students and faculty will work with Lockheed Martin engineers to adopt the technology for use on non-military applications such as marine engineering and remotely operated vehicles.
"The Marine Institute is very fortunate to be recognized as having some of the best marine simulation facilities and expertise in the world," said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-chancellor of Memorial University. "By adding the VISTA simulation technology, we are advancing our capabilities once again to ensure we can respond to the expanding expectations of technically savvy students and industrial clients."
"Thanks to this new collaboration between Lockheed Martin Canada and the Marine Institute, our institute will significantly expand our suite of course offerings and continue to attract high calibre students from around the world who are seeking leading-edge training techniques in the most advanced learning environment available," said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director, Marine Institute.
eadquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44 billion.
"This collaborative effort allows us to work with a team of dedicated professionals to broaden not only the curriculum of students but also the application of VISTA to a commercial, non-defence oriented market," said Don McClure, vice-president of business development for Lockheed Martin Canada. "It’s a win-win for the Marine Institute and Lockheed Martin."
