Explore air, land, and sea sensing technologies and solutions with National Research Council experts
CANSEC is Canada's premier defence and security event. Held annually in Ottawa, Canadian defence and security companies exhibit leading-edge technologies for national and international governments, and military decision makers. As a leading organization in Canada's security and defence sector, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) provides expertise and creative solutions on land, in the air and at sea. The NRC adds value beyond our testing and evaluation through the combination of expertise and comprehensive tools.
At CANSEC 2019, security and defence experts met and spoke with NRC's business and technical advisors from our Aerospace, Security and Disruptive Technologies, Automotive and Surface Transportation, Digital Technologies, and Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering research centres. This year, the NRC showcased sensor technologies and innovative protective materials.
On display: the Renegade-M, a single-rotor, unmanned aerial system (UAS), also known as a drone.It can operate for a period of up to 2 hours with typical flight speeds of 15-25 knots at an altitude of 15-300 m above ground level. Its integrated magnetometer and hyperspectral imaging capabilities can be used to detect metallic objects such as improvised explosive devices. Additionally, its ability to detect disturbed snow can be useful for several applications including: search and rescue, avalanche predictions, arctic mammal winter feeding analysis and military applications.
With the aim of increasing the operational capability of UAS in harsh climates, the NRC has collaborated with the Department of National Defence (DND). NRC researchers built a test rig and developed an efficient test method to evaluate the ice-protection performance of icephobic coatings (ice protection systems such as surface coatings with low affinity). The NRC has developed a number of icephobic coatings and used the NRC procedure to evaluate both its own made and commercial coatings that are claimed by the fabricators to be icephobic.
Security and Disruptive Technologies Research Centre
On display: protective materials
The NRC is helping develop the next generation of protective materials for military and first responders in a unique partnership with Defence Research and Development Canada.
With materials and assemblies that are fundamentally lighter, stronger and tougher to structural composites, NRC researchers continue to work with industry and Canada's DND on the cutting edge of materials solutions for defence and security applications.
Automotive and Surface Transportation Research Centre
Using unmanned aerial system mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, the NRC can map out terrain and predict the vibration that will be experienced by a given vehicle over that terrain. Using simulation software, these terrains can be reproduced virtually or on the vehicle under controlled laboratory conditions. Occupant fatigue, technology survivability and technology functionality can all be predicted and verified.
The NRC works with DND to determine the functionality of a Satellite Communication on the Move system mounted on several vehicle types. Future work can be done by using mapping technology, the NRC's Dynamics facility or a combination of the two.
Digital Technologies Research Centre
The Multimedia Analytic Tools for Security (MATS) program at the NRC brings together end users and industry partners to create machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)-based analytic solutions that will aid in finding critical information with greater precision and speed. The main deliverables of the program are software algorithms and prototypes that will advance solutions beyond those currently available to national defence, security and public safety analysts.
Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre
While submarines are built for longevity, they still require regularly scheduled upgrades to remain operationally up to date. To modernize its vessels, DND enlisted the help of the NRC's Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre to design, build and test a new autopilot control system which, when engaged, automatically adjusts and compensates for any disturbance that could affect the submarine's set course through the water, either on the surface or when submerged. The NRC's modelling services proved ideal for testing the upgraded autopilot system as it allowed DND to see the trial software in action as the model submarine could be maneuvered on command.