Trident Maritime Systems UK Delivers Advanced Visual Landing Aids for the River-Class Destroyers

Trident Maritime Systems UK (TMS UK) is proud to announce the signing of a contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) to supply Visual Landing Aids (VLAs) for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) River-Class Destroyers. This milestone marks the culmination of two years of close collaboration, during which TMS UK has worked diligently to develop a cutting-edge solution tailored to the operational needs of the RCN.

VLAs are critical for naval aviation operations, ensuring precision, safety, and efficiency during aircraft landings on warships, particularly in challenging maritime environments. By combining TMS UK’s expertise in maritime technology with ISI’s leadership in naval shipbuilding, this partnership guarantees a state-of-the-art system that enhances the combat readiness and operational effectiveness of Canada’s next-generation naval fleet.

Project Overview & Strategic Importance

River-Class Destroyers & Their Role

The River-Class Destroyers represent a pivotal advancement in the modernization of the RCN fleet. Designed to replace the aging Halifax-class frigates, these next-generation warships will serve as the backbone of Canada’s naval combat capability, ensuring enhanced maritime security in both national and international waters. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the River-Class Destroyers will play a crucial role in defense, surveillance, and multi-domain operations alongside Canada’s allied naval forces. 

A key element of these vessels’ operational capability is their ability to support shipborne aviation, including the deployment and recovery of helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). VLAs provide clear and accurate guidance, reducing landing risks and enhancing operational effectiveness.

Trident Maritime Systems’ Contribution

As a leader in maritime systems engineering, TMS UK has been selected to design, manufacture, and deliver the VLAs for the River-Class Destroyers. This contract underscores TMS UK’s reputation for providing mission-critical solutions that enhance the safety and operational efficiency of modern naval fleets.

The VLA system incorporates advanced illumination, guidance, and signaling technologies that enable precise helicopter landings in diverse operational conditions, including low visibility and high sea states. By providing real-time visual cues and optimized landing guidance, the system significantly enhances naval aviation safety and supports multi-mission capabilities for the RCN.

The Collaboration & Innovation Behind the VLAs

A Two-Year Partnership with ISI

TMS UK has worked closely with ISI for the past two years to develop a VLA system that meets the operational needs of the RCN. This effort has been a collaboration between TMS UK and Trident Maritime Systems Canada (TMS Canada), leveraging expertise from both teams to ensure a seamless, high-performance solution.

A key factor in the success of this project has been the ability to align the system’s design and functionality with the specific requirements of the River-Class Destroyers. By combining TMS UK’s experience in advanced maritime systems with the manufacturing and integration capabilities of TMS Canada, the project has delivered a system that enhances the safety and efficiency of naval aviation operations. This partnership has also helped streamline the transition from development to production, ensuring the VLAs will be fully operational when the new destroyers enter service.

Innovative Design & Engineering Excellence

The VLA system incorporates advanced technology to enhance aircraft landing precision and safety in challenging maritime conditions. Designed to provide clear and reliable guidance, the system ensures pilots can execute safe landings even in low visibility, rough seas, and adverse weather conditions.

One of the key advancements in the VLAs is its integrated lighting and visual cueing system, which improves situational awareness for pilots and flight deck crews. The system is designed to minimize errors by offering real-time visual guidance, reducing the risks associated with night operations and high-sea-state landings.

To ensure the highest levels of performance and reliability, TMS UK has subjected the VLAs to rigorous testing under simulated operational conditions. These tests evaluate durability, responsiveness, and effectiveness in various environmental scenarios, confirming that the system meets the RCN’s strict operational standards. With a design focused on precision, safety, and resilience, the VLAs will provide a critical capability for the River-Class Destroyers, supporting a range of naval aviation missions.

Economic & Supply Chain Impact

Supporting Canadian Industry & Jobs

The build and commissioning of the VLAs for the River-Class Destroyers will take place in Canada, reinforcing TMS UK’s commitment to supporting domestic industry. By localizing production, this project not only ensures high-quality manufacturing standards but also strengthens Canada’s defense sector through job creation and economic investment.

The contract with ISI brings significant benefits to Canada’s industrial base by engaging local suppliers, engineers, and skilled workers throughout the development and production phases. From precision engineering to final assembly, multiple Canadian companies will contribute to the successful delivery of this critical system. This collaboration ensures that expertise and innovation remain within the country while fostering long-term sustainability in the naval supply chain.

Beyond direct job creation, the project stimulates economic activity in related industries, including advanced manufacturing, research and development, and logistics. By investing in Canadian capabilities, TMS UK is helping to develop a highly skilled workforce and reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in maritime defense solutions.

Strengthening UK-Canada Maritime Collaboration

TMS UK’s work on the VLAs is a result of close cooperation between its teams in the UK and Canada. This cross-border collaboration enables the exchange of specialized knowledge and technical expertise, ensuring that the final product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.

By leveraging the strengths of both operations, TMS UK has successfully developed a system tailored to the needs of the RCN while also advancing global maritime innovation. The integration of UK design expertise with Canadian manufacturing capabilities demonstrates the value of strong international partnerships in defense technology development.

Additionally, this project enhances supply chain resilience between the two countries. By working together, TMS UK and TMS Canada are creating a more robust and adaptable supply network capable of supporting future naval programs. This strengthened relationship not only benefits the River-Class Destroyer project but also lays the foundation for continued cooperation on future defense initiatives.

Looking Ahead: Future of Naval Aviation Support

Commitment to the Royal Canadian Navy

The integration of VLAs into the River-Class Destroyers is an important step in supporting the RCN’s modernization efforts. As naval operations become increasingly complex, reliable landing systems are essential for maintaining operational readiness and ensuring the safety of shipborne aviation.

TMS UK continues to focus on advancements in maritime aviation technology, including improvements in landing system automation and visual guidance solutions. These developments aim to enhance situational awareness for pilots and flight deck crews, ensuring safe and efficient operations in a variety of environmental conditions.

Final Remarks & Industry Leadership

The collaboration on this project reflects a shared commitment to delivering effective and reliable solutions that meet the operational needs of the RCN. By working closely with ISI, TMS UK is contributing to Canada’s long-term defense capabilities and supporting the growth of the domestic defense sector.

As the project progresses, TMS UK will continue to ensure that the VLA systems meet the highest performance standards, supporting the operational success of Canada’s future naval fleet.

Trident Maritime Systems brings a history of proven excellence to the River-class destroyer project

Mississauga-based Trident Maritime Systems Canada is the latest company to join Irving Shipbuilding Inc.’s supply chain, supporting the construction of the new River-class destroyers (RCD) for the Royal Canadian Navy. Trident has been awarded contracts valued at approximately $8 million to design two marine filtration systems for the RCD.

The new River-class destroyers are slated to replace the current Halifax-class frigates and will form the backbone of Canada’s naval combat capability. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the RCD will be Canada’s major component of maritime combat power, enabling the Royal Canadian Navy to monitor and defend our own coastal waters, while contributing significantly to international naval operations alongside our Allies. Construction on the production test module of the River-class began in June 2024, with full-rate production scheduled to start in April 2025.

Trident Maritime Systems Canada (formerly Aircraft Appliances and Equipment Limited) has been providing North American operators with industry leading marine filtration equipment and services for over 70 years. Originally founded in 1949, initial company operations provided aircraft component repair and overhaul, and distribution services direct to the Canadian Department of National Defence and several aircraft primes. In 1959, operations expanded into the design and manufacturing of bespoke marine filtration equipment for numerous fuel and lubricating oil applications.

Trident’s work for the Royal Canadian Navy includes support to the Victoria-class In-Service Support Contract (VISSC) through the Repair and Overhaul and Supply of bespoke specialized valves and actuators— and also support to the Joint Support Ship program through the supply of Aviation Facility Support Equipment.

Today, Trident’s marine filtration equipment can be found on almost every ship operating in the U.S. Navy fleet.

It is this longstanding experience and proven excellence that Trident is bringing to the RCD project.

Specifically, Trident will be providing two filtration systems: A Diesel Fuel Pre-filter Coalescer (forward and aft units), which uses filter technology to remove fine particulate and free water from the diesel fuel, ensuring the supply of clean and dry fuel to the vessel, and the AVCAT Filter Separator (three per ship), which ensures clean and dry fuel is delivered to support the ship’s helicopter operations.

The design, manufacturing and functional testing of these filtration systems will all take place at Trident’s facilities in Mississauga, Ontario. Importantly, the contract with Irving has created several new jobs for Trident across engineering, program management and manufacturing.

With this contract, Trident is joining the nearly 700 Canadian organizations who are receiving investments from the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). This latest contract contributes to the over $3.8 billion in contracts and investments Irving Shipbuilding, through the NSS, is delivering to Ontario alone.

“As a long-established Canadian-based supplier of military ship marine filtration equipment solutions, Trident Canada is proud and excited to be included as a part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the RCD project and the overall planned revitalization of the Royal Canadian Navy fleet and capability,” says Andrew Brand, General Manager, Trident Maritime Systems Canada. “It’s truly a generational opportunity which will help ensure the sustainability of production and in-service support jobs for the Trident Canada team and local supply chain.”

“With this latest contract award to Trident Maritime Systems Canada, Irving Shipbuilding is continuing to build a supply chain of highly qualified companies who possess a proven excellence in their fields,” says Lee Fromson, Vice President, Supply Chain and Quality, Irving Shipbuilding. “This approach will ensure the RCD is equipped with state-of the-art technology and enhanced capabilities to meet the complex needs of Canada’s navy, while maximizing the economic benefits to Canadian workforces and businesses.”

Building on this support, Trident Canada’s sister company, Trident Maritime Systems U.K., has been awarded a separate contract by Irving Shipbuilding to provide the Visual Landing Aids for the River-class destroyers. By working closely with its Canadian team, Trident U.K. developed a unique solution that fully meets the requirements of the Royal Canadian Navy. With the build and commissioning part of this work being delivered in Canada, this collaboration ensures that Trident continues to create local economic value and strengthen the supply chain capabilities between Canada and the U.K.

Welcome to the new Trident website

Trident launches our updated website today! Watch out for a simple, intuitive interface that includes easy navigation on your computer or mobile device. You can effortlessly take an in-depth look at all the services and products Trident provides. It features bright, clean design elements, new interactive models and videos, and a fresh, engaging take on content. It is a big step forward that would not be possible without having the roots in a fantastic existing website that served us well for a decade.

Trident has had an unprecedented growth in our business and capabilities across the world. It is time to recreate a website that appropriately represented Trident’s vision, solutions, and responsibilities in an ever-transforming world. 

In reconstructing the website, we will make it easy for employees, customers, and industrial partners to:

• View the products and services that we offer, with regular updates

• Understand and engage with Trident's problem solving capabilities

• Enlist our Sales team

• Get excited about the prospect of working at Trident if they are seeking a new opportunity

This website paints a very clear and unified picture about Trident as a whole. It acknowledges our legacy, our present day, and our future. It shares our traditions and our innovations. It seamlessly ties the history behind us with the road ahead to show who we are today.

This website is going to continue to develop over the coming days, weeks, and months, we will add more features, content, depth, and breadth to help make your Trident experience as slick and helpful as possible.  So please check back soon for additional content. If you have any ideas for what we should include or improve next, please contact us at info@tridentllc.com. After all, as our homepage reminds us, we are built for you.

Thank you,

The Trident Team

Find us at Sea Air Space 2024

In the swiftly evolving landscape of maritime defense, one event stands as the beacon for industry leaders and decision-makers: Sea-Air-Space 2024. Trident LLC is excited to announce our participation in the United States' most esteemed maritime exposition, hosted by the Navy League of the United States. As we gear up for the event's kickoff on April 7th, the anticipation is palpable.

Sea-Air-Space isn't just an event; it's a confluence of thought leadership, where the pulse of maritime innovation beats the strongest. Each day is meticulously curated with speeches from the sector’s visionaries and activities that chart the course for the U.S.'s naval future.

Trident LLC invites you to witness the unveiling of the latest in maritime defense technology at our booth located in Prince George's Exhibition Hall A-E — 1905. Our experts will be ready to walk you through our groundbreaking solutions that support the safety and effectiveness of sea, air, and space missions.

Mark your calendars for this unmissable gathering that promises to be a crucible of ideas and partnerships. Whether you're entrenched in the defense sector or simply have an eye for the future of maritime strategy, Sea-Air-Space 2024 is your gateway to the forefront of the industry.

The date is set, and the stage is ready. Trident LLC is on course for an engaging showcase, and your presence will be the hallmark of this journey. Prepare to set sail with us towards a secure and dominant maritime future. We await your visit.

Sea Air Space - The Navy League's Global Maritime Exposition