December 3, 2023 | Local, Aerospace
Anduril reveals Roadrunner drone, mum on first US customer
The baseline model can quickly launch and fly at high subsonic speeds and its payloads can be reconfigured for a variety of missions.
September 24, 2018 | Local, C4ISR, Security
RCMP's ability to police digital realm 'rapidly declining,' commissioner warned
Catharine Tunney · CBC News
Organized crime is moving online and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is struggling to keep up, according to a briefing note prepared for RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki when she took over the top job earlier this year.
The memo, obtained by CBC News under access to information law, may launch a renewed battle between the national police service and privacy advocates.
"Increasingly, criminality is conducted on the internet and investigations are international in nature, yet investigative tools and RCMP capacity have not kept pace," says the memo tucked into Lucki's briefing book.
"Growing expectations of policing responsibilities and accountability, as well as complexities of the criminal justice system, continue to overwhelm the administrative demands within policing."
In 2016 nearly 24,000 cybercrime-related cases were reported to Canadian police, up 58 per cent over 2014. The report's authors note that cybercrime tends to be under-reported.
Encryption of online data has a been a persistent thorn in the RCMP's side.
Lucki's predecessor lobbied the government for new powers to bypass digital roadblocks, including tools to get around encryption and warrantless access to internet subscriber information.
"Approximately 70 per cent of all communications intercepted by CSIS and the RCMP are now encrypted ... 80 organized crime groups were identified as using encryption in 2016 alone," says the 274-page document.
Some critics have noted that non-criminals — journalists, protesters and academics, among others — also use encryption tools online and have warned any new encryption legislation could undermine the security of financial transactions and daily online communication.
Ann Cavoukian was Ontario's privacy commissioner for three terms; she now runs Ryerson University's Privacy by Design Centre of Excellence. She called the RCMP's push for more online policing power "appalling."
"I guess we should remind them that we still live in a free and democratic society where people have privacy rights, which means that they should be in control of their personal information," she said.
"If you're a law abiding citizen, you get to decide how your information is used and to whom it's disclosed. The police have no right to access your personal information online, unless of course they have a warrant."
Lucki was specifically warned about criminal suspects "going dark," a term used to describe the gap between the lawful ability of police forces to obtain online evidence and changing technology.
She also was advised the RCMP's court-authorized arsenal (things like court orders and "computer network exploitation techniques," which cover hacking) are "rapidly declining."
"Get more efficient," said Cavoukian.
Parliamentary committee promises to study issue
A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said that "encryption is critical to safeguarding our cybersecurity, privacy and the digital economy."
"However, it has also created gaps for law enforcement and national security agencies," wrote Scott Bardsley in an email.
Earlier this year, the House of Commons' public safety and national security committee released a 76-page report that recommended "no changes to the lawful access regime for subscriber information and encrypted information be made."
But the committee didn't shelve the issue, promising instead to study the evolving challenges.
"The government will support the standing committee on national security and public safety in its continued work to study these and other emerging technological issues related to cybersecurity," wrote Bardsley.
"It will also continue to examine options to ensure agencies have the resources necessary to gain access to decrypted data required to address criminal activity."
Cavoukian predicts "a real fight" over the issue.
Bardsley says the government has pledged $116 million over five years, and $23.2 million per year after that, to help create the national cybercrime coordination unit, which would help "provide digital investigative advice and guidance to Canadian law enforcement."
The RCMP didn't meet CBC's deadline for a comment.
Attrition issues
The briefing binder also flags the RCMP's persistent problem with replenishing its ranks when officers retire or otherwise leave the force.
"The RCMP has a growing vacancy rate that exceeds its present ability to produce regular members at a rate that keeps pace with projected future demands," it warns.
As of April 2018, there were 1,122 funded vacant regular member positions —a vacancy rate of 5.6 per cent. That's down slightly from the previous year, when the vacancy rate was 6.6 per cent.
The briefing note says that in the last five years, there has been a "dramatic" increase in the number of new recruits needed to fill operational vacancies and evolving program requirements.
About 1,280 cadets were expected to be enrolled in 2018-2019, up from 1,152 the previous year.
In 2016, CBC News reported that the RCMP was dropping its requirement that applicants be Canadian citizens, and that it would accept applications from permanent residents.
The RCMP also loosened entrance requirements to deal with a wave of retirements, low pay and the need to expand its pool of potential new officers.
Starting this month, the RCMP is dropping its requirement that applicants must be Canadian citizens. It will now accept permanent residents. Post-secondary graduates no longer will have to write an entrance exam that measures aptitude for police work and the force will no longer require a physical abilities evaluation before people submit an application.
With files from the CBC's Kathleen Harris.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/lucki-briefing-binde-cybercrime-1.4831340
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October 19, 2020 | Local, Naval, C4ISR
Canadian Navy : The Canadian Surface Combatant – More than Just a Ship
More than Just a Ship With the release of Canada's defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged in 2017, the Government of Canada signaled its commitment to renewing the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) fleet. As part of an effort to deliver a Blue Water Navy built around the ability to sustain two naval task groups of up to four combatants and a joint support ship, supplemented when warranted by a submarine and maritime air assets, the government committed to the acquisition of 15 Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC). The effort to procure these vessels represents the centrepiece of the National Shipbuilding Strategy - the largest procurement in Canadian history - and certainly one of its most complex, spanning over three decades Lockheed Martin Canada, the successful bidder in a lengthy but fair, open and transparent bid process, proposed a CSC concept design based on the United Kingdom's (UK) Type-26 Global Combat Ship, currently under construction. With this selection, Canada joins the UK and Australia who are leveraging the Type-26 Global Combat Ship design into their future fleets. The CSC is Canada's next generation warship, which will eventually replace both the recently retired Iroquois-class and today's modernized Halifax-class. Capabilities from both classes will be modernized and future-proofed to ensure not only that systems stay relevant for years to come, but more importantly that tomorrow's sailors have the equipment they need when sent into harm's way. It forms part of a broad vision of defence capabilities that will serve Canada's defence interests well into the latter half of the century. A Warship at its Core At its core, the CSC is being designed to be combat capable through the marriage of high-tech equipment and highly trained RCN sailors - able to conduct air, surface, sub-surface and information warfare missions simultaneously. The crews will be trained and organized to be capable of conducting warfare operations 24/7 and to both fight the ship and respond to any damage sustained simultaneously. Survivability, a key principle that shaped CSC requirements from the outset, refers to the ability to protect the crew onboard, maintain combat effectiveness under fire, and bring our sailors home safely on completion of the mission. This principle is reflected in ship requirements that include the military design standards for critical shipboard systems, levels of protection from blast and fragmentation, reduced signatures, a battle damage control system and, of course, the full suite of sensors and weapons the ship carries to defeat threats. The Operational Capability of CSC, or its ability to deliver credible and relevant effect, was also top of mind to ensure that the ship could deliver on the mission set outlined in Canada's defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged. The design and capability fit aims to deliver a highly versatile ship that is multi-role in nature, and that affords the greatest range of capability. This outcome translates directly into agility and responsiveness for the RCN, including re-rolling a deployed ship from one mission to another, without returning to port. The ship will be able to a perform a broad range of missions with North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), 5-Eyes nations, NATO, coalition partners, and here in Canada with other government departments and agencies. CSC will have decisive combat power for operations at sea, and in support of joint-force operations ashore. The versatility of the design will also ensure the RCN is well enabled to support missions for counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, intelligence and surveillance, interdiction and embargo operations, as well as provide support for humanitarian assistance, Search and Rescue, and law/sovereignty enforcement. The ship's capability suite includes: Four integrated management systems, once each for the combat system, platform systems, bridge and navigation systems and its cyber-defence system A digital beam forming Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and solid state illuminator capability The USN Cooperative Engagement Capability sensor netting system A vertically launched missile system supporting long, short and close-in missile defence, long-range precision naval fires support and anti-ship engagements A 127mm main gun system and dual 30mm gun mounts A complete Electronic Warfare and countermeasures suite A fully integrated underwater warfare system with bow mounted sonar, towed low frequency active and passive sonar, lightweight torpedoes and decoys Fully integrated communications, networking and data link capabilities CH-148 Cyclone multi-role helicopter, multi-role boats and facilities for embarking remotely piloted systems. A Node in a System of Systems More broadly speaking, the CSC will also serve as a node in a broader system of systems, all of which are geared to ensuring that Canada is strong at home, secure in North America and engaged in the world. This system includes space-based assets, intelligence networks, advanced Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) collection platforms, and shore-based command and control facilities. As part of this approach, the RCN will also take interoperability to the next level, enabling systems integration both with other Canadian Armed Forces capabilities and our closest allies. Designed with a communications and information systems architecture that will enable it to share significant amounts of data, it will contribute to a modernized North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), and better enable the RCN to leverage and support its closest allies on operations abroad. With its sensor-netting capability, which is also employed in the United States and Royal Australian navies, the CSC will have a significantly greater ability to defend itself against highly sophisticated threats. Finally, the ship will be digitally integrated with the RCN/CAF/DND enterprise ashore, in keeping with the RCN's Digital Navy strategy. It is being carefully designed from the outset with digital requirements in mind, with a view to leveraging new technologies in maintenance and materiel management, supply chain management, logistics, training, operational support, as well as operations. A Workplace and Home for Tomorrow's Sailors Ships are only as good as the sailors who sail them and going to sea has always involved some level of hardship, whether from the effects of the sea, the lack of privacy or simply the separation from family and loved ones. In keeping with an intent to ensure the Navy affords a safe, welcoming and inclusive workplace to all its members, the RCN is looking at the hardships of going to sea and aiming to lighten them in the CSC. Over the past several months a small team, comprised mostly of junior-level sailors, looked at the CSC design through a habitability lens and provided advice on those areas that sailors felt were most important to them. The team surveyed close to 3,000 members of the RCN and looked at everything from privacy, personal storage, sleeping quarters, mixed messing, mess occupancy, heads and wash-places, laundry facilities, digital connectivity, fitness facilities, recreation lounges and dining. The three most significant priorities highlighted were in the areas of privacy, the ability to digitally connect with families ashore and improved fitness facilities. The RCN is now working to see how this feedback might be incorporated into the design of CSC, to produce a ship that can better accommodate tomorrow's sailors and ensure that we remain committed to People First, Mission Always. A Significant Opportunity for Canadian Industry What lies ahead for a world-class industry team, led by Irving Shipbuilding Incorporated, Lockheed Martin Canada and BAE Systems, truly represents an immense opportunity. It all begins with ensuring the best equipment and right level of integration to enable and protect sailors in the future, so they can deliver on their mission. Next is the opportunity that comes within each line of effort related to the overall program: naval design, systems integration, shipbuilding, training development, and shore-based infrastructure. In each area, industry partners have a chance to adapt world-leading best practices, introduce new innovative approaches in their respective areas and leverage the best in modern technologies to make value-chain improvements. For example, the RCN is already involved with the CSC industry team in using a model-based systems engineering approach that will establish the foundation for the eventual creation of a digital twin of the ship, as well as a baseline digital thread that will facilitate the Navy's ability to capitalize on a variety of digital technologies in the future. The last area of opportunity lies in capitalizing on the benefits that come with three nations all building a surface combatant using the same baseline design. Examples include pursuing supply chain economies of scale, cooperating on design and engineering packages, sharing lessons learned in design and build practices, and collaborating on the development of training products. These areas of opportunity were spurred by Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy, which aims to not only deliver Canada's Navy and Coast Guard the ships they need, but also to create a sustainable marine sector in Canada, and contribute economic benefits and highly skilled jobs to Canada's economy. Conclusion The CSC is more than just a ship - it represents a national endeavour to safeguard Canada's defence needs. It is being designed from the keel up to be multi-purpose in its capabilities, affording Canada the ability to deploy it across a broad spectrum of mission sets, and agility to adapt to a new mission, in hours not days or weeks. It is a significant component in a much broader system of systems, where interoperability is being elevated to integration, and digital technologies and data are leveraged as capabilities. It offers a floating environment that balances hard steel and high tech against the habitability needs and desires of today's young sailors - a home away from home. And finally, it offers a tremendous opportunity for Canadian industry to take on a complex challenge and deliver in a world-class and innovative way. The Canadian Surface Combatant - the right ship for the RCN and Canada. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/Canadian-Navy-The-Canadian-Surface-Combatant-ndash-More-than-Just-a-Ship--31556116/
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November 19, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
NATO Challenge top 10 ready to pitch! / DRDC Outreach Day // Le Top 10 du Défi de l’OTAN est prêt à présenter ! / Journée de sensibilisation de RDDC
NATO Challenge top 10 ready to pitch! The top 10 contestants in the Fall 2021 NATO Innovation Challenge, the Invisible Threat: Countering Cognitive Warfare have been selected. They will present their innovative solutions to a multi-national jury of defence experts on Pitch Day, November 30, 2021. As well as gaining valuable international exposure, the 10 finalists will vie for top 3 cash prizes in this pitch-style event. Thank you to all innovators for participating. Watch live starting at 9 am (EDT) on Youtube. For more information about this challenge please visit NATO Innovation Challenge page. Learn how innovators can partner with Defence Research and Development Canada! Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), the organization that manages the IDEaS program on behalf of the Department of National Defence (DND), will be hosting its 2021 Outreach Day on November 24, 2021. A trusted advisor and collaborative partner, DRDC works as a knowledge integrator for DND and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Like IDEaS, DRDC helps to develop and deliver new technical solutions to DND/CAF, other federal departments, and the safety and security communities. At this event, you will: Get the information you need for your business to partner with DRDC; Become familiar with the eight strategic focus areas in DND's Defence and Security Science and Technology program, to help you prepare for future calls for proposals; Find out about DND's Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, which is funded at $1.6 B over 20 years; Learn about upcoming opportunities with the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP); Hear from DRDC's acting Assistant Deputy Minister Sophie Galarneau; Ask your questions about future partnership opportunities Outreach Day will be held virtually on MS Teams on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 from 10:00 to 12:00 hrs EST. Please note that while the presentations will be in English, the question and answer period will be in both official languages. The presentation decks will be made available in French and English, as of November 22. Register for this session using the link below: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/defence-research-and-development-canada-drdc-outreach-day-tickets-207400529567 Le Top 10 du Défi de l'OTAN est prêt à présenter ! Les 10 meilleurs candidats du Défi de l'innovation de l'OTAN Automne 2021, la menace invisible : contrer la guerre cognitive ont été sélectionnés. Ils présenteront leurs solutions innovantes à un jury multinational d'experts de la défense lors de l'évènement de présentation, le 30 novembre 2021. En plus d'acquérir une précieuse exposition internationale, les 10 finalistes se disputeront les 3 premiers prix en argent lors de cet événement de style présentation. Merci à tous les innovateurs d'avoir participé. Regardez en direct à partir de 9 h (HAE) sur YouTube. Pour plus d'informations sur ce défi, veuillez visiter la page du Défi de l'innovation de l'OTAN (en anglais seulement). Découvrez comment les innovateurs peuvent s'associer à Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada! Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada (RDDC), l'organisation qui gère le programme IDEeS au nom du ministère de la Défense nationale (MDN), organisera sa journée de sensibilisation le 24 novembre 2021. Conseiller de confiance et partenaire collaboratif, RDDC travaille en tant qu'intégrateur de connaissances pour le MDN et les Forces armées canadiennes (FAC). À l'instar d'IDEeS, RDDC aide à développer et à fournir de nouvelles solutions techniques au MDN/FAC, à d'autres ministères fédéraux et aux communautés de sûreté et sécurité. À l'occasion de cette journée de sensibilisation vous pourrez : Obtenir l'information dont votre entreprise a besoin pour établir un partenariat avec RDDC; Vous familiariser avec les huit domaines d'intérêt stratégique du programme de science et de technologie pour la défense et la sécurité du MDN, ce qui vous aidera à vous préparer en vue des prochains appels de propositions; Vous renseigner sur le programme Innovation pour la défense, l'excellence et la sécurité (IDEeS) du MDN, dont le financement s'élève à 1,6 milliard de dollars sur 20 ans; Vous renseigner sur les possibilités à venir dans le cadre du Programme canadien pour la sûreté et la sécurité (PCSS); Écouter la sous-ministre adjointe par intérim de RDDC, Sophie Galarneau; Poser des questions à propos des possibilités de partenariat à l'avenir La journée de sensibilisation se déroulera de façon virtuelle au moyen de MS Teams, le mercredi 24 novembre 2021 de 10 h à 12 h (HAE). Veuillez noter que les présentations seront en anglais, par contre, la période de questions et réponses se fera dans les deux langues officielles. Quand aux documents de présentation, ils seront disponibles en français et en anglais à partir du 22 novembre. Pour vous inscrire, veuillez utiliser le lien ci-dessous: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/defence-research-and-development-canada-drdc-outreach-day-tickets-207400529567