October 12, 2023 | Local, Security
Joint Statement from the Department of National Defence and Major-General Fortin
The legal proceedings commenced by Major-General Fortin have been resolved. The parties will have no further comment on the matter.
February 6, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
Air Force aiming to have armed drones in the air in next six years: commander
OTTAWA — The Royal Canadian Air Force is hoping to pull the trigger on the purchase of new drones within six years after spending nearly two decades weighing different options.
The Canadian Forces has been working since the early 2000s to find unmanned aerial vehicles that can conduct surveillance over Canada's vast territory and support overseas missions.
Yet aside from purchasing a small number of temporary, unarmed drones for the war in Afghanistan, the military has never been able to make much progress on a permanent fleet.
Air Force commander Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger says he believes that is about to change after the Trudeau government became the first to officially authorize the acquisition of a fleet of armed UAVs through its defence policy.
In an interview, Meinzinger says the air force is nearly finished drawing up options — where it has been stuck for years — and will soon move into the next phase by presenting its proposals to procurement officials.
While the military has welcomed Canada's decision to buy armed drones and promised to abide by international laws, some arms-control advocates have expressed concern about the legal grey zone such weapons inhabit.
The Canadian Press
On the same subject
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December 20, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
Lockheed Martin And Canadian UAVs To Improve Unmanned Beyond Visual Line Of Sight Operations
Calgary, Alberta, December 17, 2019 – The ability to fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) significantly improves their effectiveness and potential. The increased range of BVLOS operations requires real-time airspace situational awareness for the UAV pilot and support crew to ensure safe, repeatable operations. Canadian UAVs and Lockheed Martin Canada CDL Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide an unmanned traffic management solution to meet this challenge. This solution will build a complete airspace picture necessary to conduct unmanned operations beyond visual line of sight in Canada and beyond. “A complete airspace picture is an absolutely necessity to conduct unmanned flights beyond visual line of sight,” said Dustin Engen, Lockheed Martin Canada CDL Systems Business Development Manager. “When combined, Canadian UAV's Sparrowhawk radar and our VCSi product will offer all users this complete picture and provide the necessary situational awareness for BVLOS flights in Canada and abroad.” Lockheed Martin Canada CDL Systems will provide integration support for the vehicle control station software called VCSi, a universal Ground Control System based on more than 1.5 million flight hours in military and commercial flight operations. Canadian UAVs will integrate their low-cost, ground-based radar, Sparrowhawk, into VCSi to provide users with a complete airspace picture of manned and unmanned aviation tracking with collision avoidance. Sparrowhawk has been instrumental in Canadian UAVs' first permitted BVLOS flights outside of restricted airspace in Canadian history. The company will also develop hardware and artificial intelligence software as part of Project Skysensus, a five-year investment from Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefit (ITB) Policy. “With Canadian UAVs' advanced market position in BVLOS operations, we are seeing a lot of gaps in what the general market offers to solve fundamental technological issues in unmanned aviation,” said Sean Greenwood, President of Canadian UAVs. “As a result, we developed a technology roadmap that invests in a comprehensive toolset to increase flight safety and repeatability as these operations increase in volume and airspace complexity. We have been working with Lockheed Martin CDL Systems for several years and we are very excited by this agreement to formalize the relationship.” About Lockheed Martin Canada Lockheed Martin Canada has been Canada's trusted defence partner for nearly 80 years and has a proud legacy of providing innovative naval systems and sustainment solutions for Canada and abroad. For more than three decades, Lockheed Martin Canada has demonstrated its capability and commitment to the Royal Canadian Navy as the Prime Contractor and Combat System Integrator for the HALIFAX Class Frigates. The company employs approximately 1,000 employees at major facilities in Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, and Victoria, working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence and commercial sectors. About Canadian UAVs Canadian UAVs is a military-grade unmanned aviation services company based in Calgary, Alberta. With flight safety as our first priority, we provide UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) solutions for a range of applications. We provide low-cost surveillance, monitoring, training, and reporting for commodity-based operations, utilities, military and real estate through UAVs. In 2018, CUAVS became the first company in Canadian history to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) as part of Transport Canada's BVLOS Task Force trials View source version on Lockheed Martin: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/lockheed-martin-canadian-uavs-improve-unmanned-beyond-visual-line-sight-operations
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March 21, 2023 | Local, Other Defence
Minister Anand announces $1.4 billion investment to upgrade Dwyer Hill Training Centre infrastructure
March 21, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Created in 1993, Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2) is an extremely high-readiness and precise special operations forces unit. JTF 2 protects Canadian national interests and combats terrorism and threats to Canadians at home and abroad, and is based at the Dwyer Hill Training Centre in the National Capital Region. Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced a $1.4-billion infrastructure project to upgrade special operations forces’ facilities at the Dwyer Hill Training Centre in Ottawa. This 10-year construction project will provide more than 100,000 m2 of purpose-built space to meet JTF 2’s long-term growth, training, and high-readiness operational needs. Work includes: · replacing 89 aging and temporary structures with 23 new facilities; · renovating seven buildings; and · upgrading the site’s utilities. Approximately 2,000 jobs will be created throughout the project, with as many as 250 to 300 people working on-site during peak construction periods. Construction is set to begin in May 2023. The unit’s training and operations will continue on-site while this work is underway. This project will include more than 150 sub-contracts to provide greater opportunities for local and smaller contractors to bid on work. Five percent of the value of all contracts are targeted for award to Indigenous businesses to create economic benefits for Indigenous Peoples. The new facilities will be net-zero ready and built to meet Two Green Globes energy and environmental design standards. This project will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Defence buildings to meet the federal target of net-zero emissions by 2050. New or renovated buildings will include modern office, operations and technical shop spaces, as well as new range, training, warehouse, medical, accommodations, access control, kitchen, mess, ammunition, equipment and vehicle storage facilities. This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing Canadian Armed Forces personnel with modern, green, and functional infrastructure in which to work and train. As outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, investments in critical infrastructure enhance military capabilities while helping reduce the government’s carbon footprint. Quotes “Our Special Forces personnel risk their lives to keep Canadians safe – and we are dedicated to delivering them the tools and training that they need to stay ready. This project will more than double the unit’s current work and training spaces with modern, green facilities and create considerable economic opportunities for local businesses and workers in the National Capital Region. Whether at home or abroad, our Special Forces make incredible sacrifices to defend Canada, and we thank them for their service to our country.” - The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence “The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command is pleased to see this infrastructure project moving forward. An upgraded and modern purpose-built training centre ensures our members remain prepared to support Canada’s efforts to respond to a range of complex threats now, and in the future.” - Major-General Steve Boivin, Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Quick facts The construction management contract was awarded to EllisDon Corporation of Mississauga, Ontario, which will tender all sub-contracts and oversee construction work. JTF 2 is a unit of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. The unit provides high-level capabilities that protect Canadians from security threats both at home and abroad. Associated links Joint Task Force 2 Canadian Special Operations Forces Command https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/03/minister-anand-announces-14-billion-investment-to-upgrade-dwyer-hill-training-centre-infrastructure.html