Maritime Museum Introduces New Exhibit

The Evolution of a Destroyer, a new interactive display at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, explores the progression of one type of ship to tell a story of change, innovation and maritime history.

The display, sponsored by defence contractor Litton Systems Canada and launched Thursday, gives the Halifax museum an opportunity to expand on its award-winning theme Convoy: Canada at War. The display explores the role of the postwar navy, a subject not previously examined at the museum, spanning the decades between the Second World War and the 1990s.

"The navy is a large part of this province's heritage with the British and Canadian navies having had a major presence in Halifax for the past 250 years," said museum director Michael Murray. "Litton recognized the importance of sharing Canada's significant marine heritage and has demonstrated the important role industry has in helping to preserve our past and understand the present.

"This new display will help create an awareness and educate visitors on the postwar navy, picking up where the convoy exhibit ends."

The Evolution of a Destroyer focuses on the development of the Tribal class destroyer. This ship symbolizes many of the changes in the Canadian navy since the Second World War, focusing on Canadian versus British design, precision defence systems versus large guns, and the changing roles of crews that today include women.

"We're very proud to be the sponsors of a display that commemorates over 50 years of destroyer design and operations in the Canadian navy," said Litton president Tim Westover. "LSC has been involved with the development of naval combat system technology in Canada since the 1960s.

"This display recognizes the significant contribution made by Litton in the evolution of the Tribal class destroyers over the past 30 years. We are especially proud to have produced the first computerized command and control systems to be installed in a class of Canadian destroyers. That program gave Litton Systems Canada its start in naval combat systems work in Canada."

As the prime contractor for the Tribal class modernization and update program, Litton designed and integrated sensors, weapons and the command and control systems for the destroyers. Litton's involvement with the ships continues through the operation of the Tribal class support facility in Esquimalt, B.C., where the company provides software engineering support for the Tribal destroyers.

Attending the event were Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Rear Admiral Duncan Miller, commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic, Tim Westover, president of Litton Systems Canada and Richard Ackerman, Litton vice-president.