Defence operational capability in aerospace

The NRC has a rich history supporting our partners at the Department of National Defence in the development, testing and implementation of technologies that support defence operational capabilities in aerospace. Our research is focused on increasing airborne vehicle availability and mission capabilities as well as maximizing operational capabilities of National Defence air assets, among other outcomes.

Our expertise

To support Canada in meeting its performance goals, the NRC's Aerospace Research Centre is using its unique R&D capabilities to meet the following objectives:

• Advance the capability, readiness and affordability of the flying assets of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
• Apply targeted research and innovation to enhance the capability, readiness and affordability of Canada's air defence fleet, guided by National Defence's national security and force development priorities

At the Aerospace Research Centre, we carry out research with our strategic partners on technologies that will have a significant impact in 5 R&D and innovation pillars:

• Modelling and simulation tools that allow for a better understanding of aerodynamics, flight dynamics and the operational capabilities of aircraft
• Airborne research facilities and highly qualified personnel to advance defence research technologies and RCAF development initiatives
• Technology development in ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), secure communication, electronic warfare and target acquisition
• Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into new technologies
• Flight simulation technologies at both ground and airborne facilities

Cross-cutting themes for the 5 pillars:

• Testing capabilities
• Modelling and simulation development
• Aerodynamics (experimental and computational)
• Flight dynamics
• Human factors

Programs and related areas of focus

Discover other NRC programs and research focus areas that support Canada's defence capabilities:

• Integrated Aerial Mobility program: Supporting the safe and responsible integration of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) into national airspace
• Digital twin and virtual testing focus area: Creating a virtual representation of physical objects, systems or environments to conduct virtual testing using digital simulation

Facilities and labs

The NRC's facilities and labs can help you develop, test and validate your technologies. Learn more about our expertise in defence operational capabilities:

• Research on aerospace structures and materials performance
• Structural full-scale aerospace testing
• Research aircraft for testing and demonstration
• Wind tunnel facilities:
  • 0.9-metre wind tunnel
  • 1.5-metre trisonic wind tunnel
  • 2-metre x 3-metre wind tunnel
  • 3-metre x 6-metre icing wind tunnel
  • 9-metre wind tunnel

Success stories

Learn more about our significant milestones and accomplishments in the field of defence operational capability:

• The NRC's Aerospace Research Centre, the first known team in the world to fly with integrated reality
• Reinforcing Canada's defence and security industry with new memorandum of understanding between the NRC and DND

Why work with us

We enable industry to develop new Canadian operational capabilities for defence purposes. With our experts and facilities dedicated to defence technologies, we provide services to help you reach your goals:

• Collaborative R&D: In a joint effort, our research expertise can help you advance your R&D projects
• Technical services: Our technical expertise can help you test and mature your technology and take it to the next level

Related links

• Strong, secure, engaged: Canada's defence policy
• The NATO generic destroyer: Source data for a shared geometry for collaborative research into modelling and simulation of shipboard launch and recovery
• Supporting shipboard helicopter flight testing with simulation and metrics for predicting pilot workload. The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation (2014). P. Comeau, A. Wall, E. Thornhill, S. McTavish, R. Lee
• Combined numerical and experimental simulations of unsteady ship airwakes. Computers & Fluids (2018). W. Yuan, A. Wall, R. Lee
• X video post on Project Convergence / Capstone4 (official account of the commander of the Canadian army, Lieutenant-General Michael Wright)
• DRDC participates in multinational experiment Project Convergence CAPSTONE 4