November 19, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
by Bill Brown
From Sept. 9 to 20, 2019, personnel from Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) Aurora CP-140 fleet participated Exercise Coalition Virtual Flag (CVF) 19-4, which is led by the United States Air Force (USAF). More than 450 joint and coalition warfighters, located at 23 sites and on three different continents, participated.
Canadian participants used the Aurora procedure crew trainer (PCT) mission simulator located in 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron's Thorney Island Simulation Centre at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., to participate in the virtual exercise.
Using distributed mission training (DMT) architecture, the PCT was connected to dozens of combat missions and flight simulators throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The exercise was hosted by the 705th Combat Training Squadron (CTS) at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
“Coalition Virtual Flag is an opportunity for our coalition and joint partners to get together. It's a theatre-level exercise that we can practice our tactics, techniques and procedures,” explained the United States Air Force's LCol Angela Messing, commander of 705th CTS. “It takes place in the virtual and simulated world with environment generators that replicate the exact threats that we're facing.”
Canadian planning for the annual complex, joint warfare simulation started almost a year ago, with 404 Squadron's modeling and simulation experts working closely with the Royal Canadian Navy's Distributed Mission Operations Centre, the RCAF Aerospace Warfare Centre's modelling and simulation co-ordination team, and modelling and simulation planners Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base.
404 Squadron and 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron provided two crews to complete the five missions.
Crew planning took place over several days, and included preparing for authentic anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare tasks. The Aurora crews faced a multi-threat, open conflict simulation scenario, and worked alongside allies from the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
Exercise Coalition Virtual Flag represents the highest level of training that can be achieved through simulation. The crews must fight together or fail together. Miscommunication on and off their own aircraft can have deadly results, with friendly units engaged by opposing force weapons systems. The Aurora is a very capable surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and, using its advanced sensors, has abundant tactical information to share with supported fighting forces.
Adding to the opportunity of exercising in a coalition DMT environment, crews conducted tactics development and confirmation for two tactical electronic warfare instructor course mentors. With the centre of excellence residing in 404 Squadron's Simulation Flight, the CP-140 fleet will continue to advance its simulation training capabilities. Several small-scale monthly DMT exercises are planned with the Navy's Distributed Mission Operations Centre and ships' combat teams over the coming months.
October 28, 2024 | Local, Land
October 28, 2024 – The Honourable, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and The Honourable, Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will meet with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Minister of National Defence Kim Yong-hyun to deepen our close cooperation and work together as strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific and North Pacific.
October 15, 2018 | Local, Aerospace
Strengthening Canada's leadership in AI-driven robotics to support jobs NEWS PROVIDED BY Canadian Space Agency New lunar rover concept contracts awarded to MDA and Canadensys Aerospace Corporation LONGUEUIL, QC, Oct. 15, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is positioning Canada's space community to maintain its global leadership in space robotics. Accordingly, the CSA announced today that it is investing $1.6 million in two concepts for lunar rovers that would use artificial intelligence to make their own decisions. Canadian businesses MDA, a Maxar company, and Canadensys Aerospace Corporation have each been awarded a contract worth $800 000 to develop an innovative concept for the CSA. The CSA made the announcement at the start of a three-day event to promote Canadian space capabilities to major space companies, including Blue Origin, Airbus Defense and Space and Moon Express. As part of ongoing discussions with the international space community to prepare options for Canada's participation in the next chapter of space exploration, the CSA recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Moon Express, a US-based company. This agreement will enable Canadian firms and researchers to offer Moon Express their expertise and capabilities. The CSA will also explore the potential of using the company's lunar lander service for the delivery of future Canadian payloads. These activities will foster the growth and innovation of Canadian businesses in our modern economy and increase opportunities for them to export their technologies and services. Quick facts The contracts awarded to MDA and Canadensys Aerospace will support 61 well-paying jobs and position Canada to play an important role in future missions to the Moon with international partners. A lunar rover would be crucial for scientific research: it would collect lunar samples for return to Earth and test technology required for a future pressurized rover able to transport astronauts on the Moon's surface. The ability to make decisions using artificial intelligence represents a new chapter in planetary rover technology: the rover would be able to assess its immediate environment, analyze risks, and autonomously plan its trajectory to meet objectives. Rovers with autonomous decision-making abilities will be able to accomplish a greater number of science objectives more efficiently. 44 organizations are attending the CSA's Industry Days from October 15-17, during which time over 70 business-to-business meetings will take place. Quote "Canada's space sector not only inspires Canadians to reach for the stars, it has for a long time been at the forefront of Canadian science, technology and innovation. With these investments, our government is supporting a key sector of our economy that creates good jobs and will continue to propel Canada's innovation economy to new heights." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Website: http://asc-csa.gc.ca Email: ASC.Medias-Media.CSA@canada.ca Follow us on Social Media SOURCE Canadian Space Agency For further information: Canadian Space Agency, Media Relations Office, Telephone: 450-926-4370 Related Links http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/strengthening-canadas-leadership-in-ai-driven-robotics-to-support-jobs-697585211.html
March 27, 2023 | Local, Aerospace
Canada plans to invest $7.3 billion to upgrade its fighter jet bases and Far North landing strips to accommodate the air force's new F-35s, the Prime Minister's Office announced Friday at the conclusion of a visit by U.S. President Joe Biden.