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February 12, 2018 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR

Les militaires du monde s’intéressent aux recherches sur le givre de l’UQAC

Vingt-deux conseillers militaires de dix-neuf pays sont dans la région ces jours-ci pour visiter le Laboratoire international des matériaux antigivre (LIMA) de l'UQAC, le seul laboratoire au monde qui se spécialise sur la question.

Car le givre est un ennemi contre lequel bombes, obus, balles et autres projectiles sont généralement inefficaces, alors que sa présence peut constituer une sérieuse menace.

« On a beaucoup de conseillers militaires étrangers qui sont des pilotes, ou qui sont rattachés d'une façon comme d'une autre à l'aviation », précise le capitaine Christian Courtemanche, officier de liaison diplomatique au sein des Forces canadiennes. « Le dégivrage d'avion, et le dégivrage d'ailleurs de vaisseaux maritimes et tout, c'est quelque chose qui intéresse tous les pays, surtout avec les changements climatiques des dernières décennies. »

Et contrairement à ce qu'on pourrait croire, le givre n'est pas un problème limité aux pays froids.

« Le problème de givrage en aviation ce n'est pas seulement pour les pays nordiques parce que ça se passe à haute altitude », ajoute le lieutenant-colonel Marc Ferron, directeur de liaison avec l'étranger. « Donc ça affecte pas mal toutes les forces armées représentées ici. »

L'intérêt que portent les militaires aux travaux du LIMA réjouit le directeur du laboratoire.

"Ils voient ce qu'on est en mesure de faire ou de proposer. Donc je pense que ça peut dans le futur, amener à certaines collaborations."

Christophe Volat, directeur du LIMA

C'est ce que croit aussi le lieutenant-colonel Ferron.

« Les attachés militaires sont très impressionnés par ce qu'ils ont vu », assure-t-il, soulignant que son rôle est justement de favoriser ce genre d'échanges.

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1083357/givre-uqac-armee

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