Canadian Armed Forces donate $6.5 million in equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces

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  July 27, 2020 | Local, Aerospace

  These Companies Will Work on R2-D2-Like Drone Helper for Air Force Pilots

  24 Jul 2020 Military.com | By Oriana Pawlyk Four defense companies have been selected to begin work on the U.S. Air Force's Skyborg program, which aims to pair artificial intelligence with a human piloting a fighter jet. The service chose Boeing Co., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc., and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. to move forward on the program; however, the companies will be competing for the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract, estimated to be worth up to $400 million, according to an announcement. The autonomous Skyborg is intended for reusable unmanned aerial vehicles in a manned-unmanned teaming mission; the drones are considered "attritable," or cheap enough that they can be destroyed without significant cost. "Because autonomous systems can support missions that are too strenuous or dangerous for manned crews, Skyborg can increase capability significantly and be a force multiplier for the Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Dale White, program executive officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft. White and Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), together lead the Skyborg program. "We have the opportunity to transform our warfighting capabilities and change the way we fight and the way we employ air power," White said in a release. "Autonomy technologies in Skyborg's portfolio will range from simple playbook algorithms to advanced team decision making and will include on-ramp opportunities for artificial intelligence technologies," added Pringle. "This effort will provide a foundational Government reference architecture for a family of layered, autonomous and open-architecture unmanned aerial [systems]." Skyborg is one of three initiatives in the service's Vanguard Program portfolio for rapid prototyping and development of new-age technologies it can leverage for multiple operations. The Vanguard program brings together the research lab and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center to "quickly identify cutting-edge technology and transition directly into the hands of the warfighter," the release states. The Air Force launched the bidding process for Skyborg in May; it expects Skyborg's initial operation to be ready by the end of 2023. Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, first spoke of the Air Force Research Lab-led program last year. He told reporters during the 2019 McAleese Conference that, while it is reminiscent of the Air Force's proposed Loyal Wingman program to send out drones ahead of fighters to act as scouts, Skyborg will take the concept even further, with an AI plane that trains with its pilot, acting as a sidekick, rapidly thinking through problems and taking command if necessary. In short, it's R2-D2 from "Star Wars" in an aircraft of its very own, he said. "I might eventually decide, 'I want that AI in my own cockpit,'" Roper said. "So if something happened immediately, [the AI] could take hold, make choices in a way that [a pilot would] know because [a pilot has] trained with it." https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/07/24/these-companies-will-work-r2-d2-drone-helper-air-force-pilots.html

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  July 22, 2022 | Local, Aerospace

  Establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division

  July 22, 2022 – Ottawa – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and Brigadier-General Mike Adamson, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division, participated in a ceremony that marked the establishment of the RCAF's newest Division - 3 Canadian Space Division, at National Defence Headquarters Carling in Ottawa, Ontario. 3 Canadian Space Division is an evolution from the RCAF's Director General Space organization. As the responsibility for space operations has steadily grown over the last decade, the space-focussed team within the RCAF has been re-organized to meet this expanded scope. Building on the space initiatives outlined in Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division recognizes the critical importance of space in all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations and day-to-day activities, and is a step forward in protecting Canadian interests in space. This newest RCAF Division will streamline, focus, and improve how space-based capabilities support critical CAF requirements such as communications, command and control, navigation, weather and situational awareness. The RCAF will remain the functional authority for space for the CAF. Quotes “As the international security environment becomes increasingly complex, space is a critical domain for our national security. The establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division marks an important step forward in our work to build a cutting-edge, innovative military that can anticipate and act in response to tomorrow's threats. We salute the members of the Royal Canadian Air Force for their continued excellence within the space domain.” The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence “Space-based capabilities are vital to modern military operations and as such, space must be integrated across the Canadian Armed Forces and steeped in our operational planning. The establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division marks another step forward in growing the space expertise and capabilities we depend on to successfully and effectively conduct operations.” General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff “The space domain is of critical importance, now more than ever, when considering its role in guiding military operations and enabling a vast range of day-to-day activities for Canadians. The establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division enables the Royal Canadian Air Force to ensure we have the right organizational structure to continually deliver spaced-based effects across the CAF, while also ensuring we are aligned with our allies who have established similar Space Commands.” Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force “It is with great pride and humility that I command 3 Canadian Space Division on behalf of the many dedicated women and men who have long recognized the importance of the space domain to military operations. This is a team that works with endless commitment and enthusiasm to support the Canadian Armed Forces. I know these dedicated space specialists will continue to blaze trails, now and into the future.” Brigadier-General Mike Adamson, Commander, 3 Canadian Space Division Quick facts 3 Canadian Space Division is projected to employ approximately 175 military and civilian personnel once fully grown in the next few years. This is an increase of 85 positions from Director General Space and is synchronized with growth that is supported by the defence policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged. The establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division will also include the re-establishment of 7 Wing, which will comprise 7 Space Operations Squadron and 7 Operations Support Squadron. 7 Wing will provide space-based data and capabilities in support of CAF operations. The CAF's space-based capabilities are used to deliver communications, command and control, navigation, weather, and situational awareness in support of military operations and activities. Such activities can include search and rescue, monitoring Canada's maritime approaches to reinforce Arctic sovereignty, support to NORAD operations, and support to decision-making in overseas operations. Canada's commitment to the Combined Space Operations Initiative continues to be a priority for 3 Canadian Space Division. This agreement includes Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, and provides opportunities to enhance cooperation on defence space activities. Associated links The Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Joint and Combined Space Program Royal Canadian Air Force Facebook Page Royal Canadian Air Force Twitter Page Contacts Media Relations Department of National Defence Phone: 613-904-3333 Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/07/establishment-of-3-canadian-space-division.html

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  April 25, 2019 | Local, Naval

  Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship fleet to fully operational in 2025, says DND

  DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence has updated the status of a number of its major procurement programs including the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships which it says will be fully operational by 2025. Under the schedule the first ship is to be delivered sometime this summer to the Royal Canadian Navy but won't be operational until 2020, according to the update. Other ships will follow over the years with the fleet being declared fully operational in 2025, according to the schedule. Each ship will go through various tests and sea trials, with ships being brought on line as those are finished and crews are trained. The Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships, or AOPS, being built by Irving Shipbuilding, were announced in 2007 by then prime minister Stephen Harper. The vessels were supposed to be in the water by 2013. But the program has faced delays. Critics have also questioned why Canada is paying around $400 million per ship when Denmark received similar vessels for $70 million each. In November 2018 the Liberal government announced it was building a sixth Arctic patrol ship to add to the five originally commissioned from Irving Shipbuilding. But it acknowledged that ship will cost taxpayers $800 million — double the price-tag of each of the other vessels. The Liberal government announced the construction of the sixth AOPS after a push by Irving and its employees for additional work. The project was originally to build five AOPS and only proceed with a sixth if Irving could find savings and work within the existing budget. That didn't happen, Department of National Defence officials noted. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/arctic-offshore-patrol-ship-fleet-to-fully-operational-in-2025-says-dnd