Defence and security science blog posts - 2024

Nearly 6.1 million people live within 20 kilometres from the marine coasts of Canada. Funding from the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) is helping Canadian communities better understand risks from storm surge, sea-level rise and tsunamis to develop mitigation strategies.

The Arctic can be a challenging place for technology, with remoteness, harsh weather and freezing temperatures adding a layer of complexity.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is adding a new subsatellite to the Redwing space domain awareness project, through a partnership with the United Kingdom’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Magellan Aerospace, and the University of Manitoba.

With just 10 microlitres (one drop) of blood and five minutes for results, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is advancing health and safety monitoring at the annual NATO training event, Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE.

Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats are constantly evolving. To be able to tackle them efficiently and effectively, it’s important to coordinate efforts with allies and across government.

During a recent counter-drone demonstration event, Canada became the fifth NATO country to test above-the-horizon lasers to defeat drone threats without a mountain or other geographic backdrop to stop the laser.

Thirteen NATO Allies are gathered in southeastern Alberta for interoperability training during Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE 2024, with scientific support from Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)’s Suffield Research Centre.

Technology needs to keep pace to detect and defeat drones that are faster, smaller, and less detectable every year. Innovators are developing counter drone technologies, but they need a safe space to test their technologies against a wide variety of drones, swarm attacks, and variable conditions.

The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) acts as a bridge between the safety and security needs of all levels of government, with science and technology solutions developed in partnership with industry and academia. That’s why the CSSP has launched a message board to connect prospective partners during its 2024 call for proposals.

Researchers are investigating topics to assess, adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change for NATO militaries. For example, developing green energy technologies for the North reduces the use of fossil fuel in the Arctic. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves money, and reduces the logistical burden of transporting fuel to the Arctic.

Powerful systems can create realistic simulations that bring new worlds to life in video games and animation, but Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is using these systems to simulate the real world and address a variety of military needs.

When it comes to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, it’s important that Canada is not in the dark. IUU fishing contributes to marine habitat destruction and declining fish stocks, representing up to 26 million tonnes of fish caught annually.

Virtual reality can make you feel like you’re really in the cockpit of an airplane and new research is showing it can be used effectively in training Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots, according to defence scientist Dr. Ramy Kirollos.

When an emergency such as a natural disaster, or terrorist attack occurs, cellular networks in proximity to the incident can experience disruptions or possibly outages.

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) experimented with two artificial intelligence (AI) enabled technologies to improve sensing and surveillance, in the multinational experiment Project Convergence CAPSTONE 4, held from February 18 to March 20, 2024 in Fort Irwin, California.

Surviving a plane crash in the Arctic is dependent on having the right equipment and skills to withstand the extreme temperatures and avoid cold weather injuries until rescue.

Shaved skin used to be the only way to get a good seal and adequate respiratory protection wearing a gas mask, but research trials on a new respirator, called the C5B, promise a “breath of fresh air” during training drills for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who have beards, long hair, headdresses or uniquely shaped faces.

The first step of addressing any sickness is figuring out the cause. Whether its for treatment or to avoid spreading it, diagnoses are necessary for dealing with illness.

When given the chance to serve her country and make a difference in the world, time and time again, Marie-Pierre Raymond has enthusiastically said yes.

Defence scientist Inbal Marcovitch is working to ensure that standardization is part of the process as Canada and its allies work to rapidly adopt new green military technologies to respond to the climate crisis.

Augmented reality offers potential advantages for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to be able to visualize in three dimensions the battlespace both above and below the surface of the water.

Alexandra McLeod, a mechanical engineering technologist and leader of the maritime information systems and technology (MIST) group at the DRDC Atlantic Research Centre, explains how they use a high-pressure tank to ensure underwater equipment can withstand the pressure of the ocean depths.

Dalhousie University electrical engineering student Tristan Batchelor describes his experiences during a co-op term with Defence Research and Development Canada's Atlantic Research Centre in the fall of 2023.

The internet is widely used as a tool for entertainment, to connect with friends and family, and to learn new skills. However, it can also be a battlespace, and just like on land, sea and in aerospace, it’s important that Canada is prepared to face threats online.