Wednesday, November 21, 2012

HMCS Halifax - post FELEX


1. After turning in Bedford Basin, HMCS Halifax glides into the Narrows, headed for sea.

The first of the Halifax class patrol frigates has emerged from the shipyard portion of its major life extension process. After several months in HMC Dockyard with additional work HMCS Halifax is now conducting sea trials.
It returned to port last evening for a few hours then late this morning returned to port again. After passing up the harbour it did a turn in Bedford Basin and headed out to sea again. The ship was proceeding very slowly to minimize wake in the area of pier 9C construction. It was also virtually silent.
Built between 1987 and 1988, it was commissioned June 29, 1992, and is expected to remain in service for up twenty more years when new ships are expected.
This major refit, called the FELEX (Frigate Equipment Life EXtension) or HCMP (Halifax Class Modernisation Program) involves upgrading command and control, radar/tracking, electronic warfare, communications, and weapons systems. There is further work to do as part of the program, which will include modifications for new helicopters. These will be stand alone projects.

2. Transiting the Narrows inbound, the ship approaches the MacKay bridge.

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