Defence Research and Development Canada
Encyclopedia
Defence Research and Development Canada, also Defence R&D Canada or DRDC (Recherche & développement pour la défense Canada, R & D pour la défense Canada, ou RDDC in French), is an agency
of the Department of National Defence
(DND), whose purpose is to respond to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces
(CF). DRDC has an annual budget of $350 million (CAD) and employs about 1600 people.
the National Research Council of Canada
(NRC) conducted wartime research for the Department of National Defence
and its military arms, the Royal Canadian Navy
, the Royal Canadian Air Force
and the Canadian Army. When NRC reverted to its peacetime activities following the war, DND sought to continue defence research and created the Defence Research Board (DRB) in April 1947 to coordinate the department's research and development
activities.
The unification of the three services into the Canadian Forces
(CF) in 1968 saw DRB evolve, becoming the Research and Development Branch of the CF by 1974. The R&D Branch was reorganized on April 1, 2000 when it became an agency within DND called Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC).
DRDC is organized around nine research centres located across the country with headquarters in Ottawa. Each research centre focuses on a particular set of scientific and operational requirements. DRDC has an annual budget of $350 million and employs 1600 people.
DRDC Atlantic has expertise in antisubmarine warfare, mine and torpedo defence, shipboard command and control, and air and naval platform technology. It was originally the Defence Research Establishment Atlantic (DREA). Located on the shores of Halifax Harbour
in the Dartmouth
adjunct of CFB Halifax
's HMC Dockyard, DRDC Atlantic has expanded its research programs to include emerging materials, signature management, maritime information and knowledge management, virtual platforms, and virtual combat systems. DRDC Atlantic also maintains and operates an underwater acoustic calibration facility on a barge moored at the deepest location on Bedford Basin
, a distinctive local landmark for decades.
In 1994, when the Defence Research Establishment Pacific (DREP) was closed as a separate establishment, the downsized facilities on the West Coast were placed under the aegis of DREA. These facilities are now operated by DRDC Atlantic as the Pacific Dockyard Laboratory.
, DRDC Suffield is home to the Chemical/Biological Forensic Research Lab, and a host of other CB defence research labs, including Canada's small scale facility for the production of Schedule 1 substances permitted under the Chemical Weapons Convention
. It was originally the Defence Research Establishment Suffield (DRES).
The Military Engineering facilities are engaged in the testing of rockets, explosives, new weapon systems, vehicle components and equipment, and house a Non-Metallic Laboratory made of polyurethane foam coated with sprayed gypsum and rubberized plastic used to make very low noise magnetic and low frequency electromagnetic measurements.
The Counter Terrorism Technology Center focuses on training first responders for a biological or chemical incident, and to develop guidelines on how to deal with those events.
DRDC Suffield also maintains facilities for the test and evaluation of anti-personnel mines to help in the development of demining equipment in association with the Canadian Centre for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT).
. The Centre’s roots go back to 1939 when DND recognized the vital importance of human factors in the ability of Canada’s armed forces to safeguard the nation in peacetime and at war.
DRDC Toronto is claimed to be "a results-oriented Centre of Excellence" for integrated human effectiveness science and technology (S&T) in defence and national security. It provides the Canadian Forces (CF), government agencies, academia, and industrial clients with an internationally recognized combination of expertise and research facilities.
Using a systems-based approach, DRDC Toronto covers all aspects of human performance and effectiveness, including individual and team performance, human-technology interaction, and the social and psychological factors that affect the resolution of conflict.
DRDC Toronto’s scientists and technologists apply, exploit and share the results of their research in these integrated areas of expertise:
Some of DRDC Toronto’s success stories include:
; it is the largest of the research centres. Founded in 1945 as the Canadian Armament Research and Development Establishment (CARDE), it became Defence Research Establishment Valcartier (DREV) in the early 1970s, and finally DRDC Valcartier (RDDC Valcartier in French) on April 1, 2000.
The primary research fields at DRDC Valcartier are optronics, information systems, and combat systems. The numerous achievements include the Black Brant
and CRV-7 rockets, the first laser, and many more.
Located at Naden, in Esquimalt, a suburb of Victoria, BC, originally called the Pacific Naval Laboratory (PNL).
DREP was engaged in a variety of research areas. One group did materials research. Materials subgroups included one for Non Destructive Testing of materials including ultrasound, x-ray, and eddy current methods; a composite mechanics subgroup working on interlaminar fracture (delamination) of composite laminated structural materials and bolted joint mechanics research for composite; and a metals fracture subgroup.
Other groups worked on submarine detection, adhesives chemistry, and engine health monitoring.
and others, have been responsible for numerous innovations and inventions of practical application in the civilian world. These include the G-suit
, motorized wheelchair, the Alouette 1
satellite, Black Brant rocket
, improvements to the carbon dioxide laser
, flight data recorder
, the Ballard fuel cell membrane
, and the Bombsniffer
(using gas chromatomography and ion mobility spectrometry).
DRDC Atlantic traces its formation to 1944 when it was established as the Defence Research Establishment Atlantic (DREA) by the Royal Canadian Navy
. DREA was one of the originating organizations that came together in 1947 to form the Defense Research Board which later became DRDC.
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
of the Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
(DND), whose purpose is to respond to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
(CF). DRDC has an annual budget of $350 million (CAD) and employs about 1600 people.
History
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the National Research Council of Canada
National Research Council of Canada
The National Research Council is an agency of the Government of Canada which conducts scientific research and development.- History :...
(NRC) conducted wartime research for the Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
and its military arms, the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
, the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and the Canadian Army. When NRC reverted to its peacetime activities following the war, DND sought to continue defence research and created the Defence Research Board (DRB) in April 1947 to coordinate the department's research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
activities.
The unification of the three services into the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
(CF) in 1968 saw DRB evolve, becoming the Research and Development Branch of the CF by 1974. The R&D Branch was reorganized on April 1, 2000 when it became an agency within DND called Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC).
DRDC is organized around nine research centres located across the country with headquarters in Ottawa. Each research centre focuses on a particular set of scientific and operational requirements. DRDC has an annual budget of $350 million and employs 1600 people.
DRDC Atlantic
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
in the Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
adjunct of CFB Halifax
CFB Halifax
Canadian Forces Base Halifax is Canada's east coast navy base and home port to the Atlantic fleet, known as Maritime Forces Atlantic....
's HMC Dockyard, DRDC Atlantic has expanded its research programs to include emerging materials, signature management, maritime information and knowledge management, virtual platforms, and virtual combat systems. DRDC Atlantic also maintains and operates an underwater acoustic calibration facility on a barge moored at the deepest location on Bedford Basin
Bedford Basin
Bedford Basin is a large enclosed bay, forming the northwestern end of Halifax Harbour on Canada's Atlantic coast.-Geography:Geographically, the basin is situated entirely within the Halifax Regional Municipality and is oriented northwest-southeast, measuring approximately 8 kilometres long and 5...
, a distinctive local landmark for decades.
In 1994, when the Defence Research Establishment Pacific (DREP) was closed as a separate establishment, the downsized facilities on the West Coast were placed under the aegis of DREA. These facilities are now operated by DRDC Atlantic as the Pacific Dockyard Laboratory.
DRDC Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (CORA)
DRDC Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (CORA) is located in Ottawa. It was originally made up of various Defence Operational Research directorates (DLOR for Land, DMOR for MAritime, DAOR for Air, DStratA for Strategic, etc.). They provide expert, objective and timely operational research, analytical support, and advice to the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence. The effort supports force development, resource allocation, acquisition, improved operational effectiveness and efficiency, strategic analysis, scientific and technical intelligence, and the achievement of departmental policy and human resource goals.DRDC Ottawa / RDDC Ottawa
DRDC Ottawa is the leader in Defence R&D Canada for defence technology related to electromagnetic sciences. Its expertise includes: radio frequency (RF) sensing; RF electronic warfare; RF communications technology; network information operations; space systems; synthetic environments; and radiological and nuclear defence. It was originally known as the Defence Research Establishment Ottawa (DREO). DRDC Ottawa is located near Shirleys Bay in the west end of Ottawa.Research Areas
- Advanced Radar Systems
- Aerospace and Radar Navigation
- Anti-terrorism and Counter Smuggling Technologies
- Communications Network Systems and Technologies
- Electronic Warfare
- Synthetic Environment for concept development and experimentation
- Secure Mobile networking
- Information Protection and Assurance, and Exploitation
- Attack Detection and Analysis
- Information Protection and Assurance
- Modelling and Simulation for acquisition, requirements, rehearsal and training
- Capability (system of systems) engineering and capability management<
- Radiation Effects
- Radar Data Exploitation
- Radar Electronic Support & Attack
- Satellite Communication Systems
- Sensor Fusion for RMP
- Signal Processing
- Signature Management
- Software Radio Architecture
- Space Systems
- Surface Radar
- Ultra-wide Bandwidth Radar
DRDC Suffield
Located at CFB SuffieldCFB Suffield
Canadian Forces Base Suffield , is the largest Canadian Forces Base and the largest Commonwealth military training base in the world...
, DRDC Suffield is home to the Chemical/Biological Forensic Research Lab, and a host of other CB defence research labs, including Canada's small scale facility for the production of Schedule 1 substances permitted under the Chemical Weapons Convention
Chemical Weapons Convention
The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Its full name is the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction...
. It was originally the Defence Research Establishment Suffield (DRES).
The Military Engineering facilities are engaged in the testing of rockets, explosives, new weapon systems, vehicle components and equipment, and house a Non-Metallic Laboratory made of polyurethane foam coated with sprayed gypsum and rubberized plastic used to make very low noise magnetic and low frequency electromagnetic measurements.
The Counter Terrorism Technology Center focuses on training first responders for a biological or chemical incident, and to develop guidelines on how to deal with those events.
DRDC Suffield also maintains facilities for the test and evaluation of anti-personnel mines to help in the development of demining equipment in association with the Canadian Centre for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT).
DRDC Toronto
DRDC Toronto is located at the former site of CFB DownsviewCFB Downsview
Canadian Forces Base Downsview is a former Canadian Forces base in Toronto, Ontario. The airfield is currently operated as Toronto/Downsview Airport.-RCAF Station Downsview:...
. The Centre’s roots go back to 1939 when DND recognized the vital importance of human factors in the ability of Canada’s armed forces to safeguard the nation in peacetime and at war.
DRDC Toronto is claimed to be "a results-oriented Centre of Excellence" for integrated human effectiveness science and technology (S&T) in defence and national security. It provides the Canadian Forces (CF), government agencies, academia, and industrial clients with an internationally recognized combination of expertise and research facilities.
Using a systems-based approach, DRDC Toronto covers all aspects of human performance and effectiveness, including individual and team performance, human-technology interaction, and the social and psychological factors that affect the resolution of conflict.
DRDC Toronto’s scientists and technologists apply, exploit and share the results of their research in these integrated areas of expertise:
- Human systems integration
- Human performance in stressful environments
- Simulation and modeling of the human in complex military systems
- Human issues in command and control
- Team performance and collaborative behaviour
- Psychology of malicious intent
- Social and cultural factors influencing behaviour
Some of DRDC Toronto’s success stories include:
- Decompression Tables (DCIEM Sport Diving Tables) that are now used worldwide and have been adopted by foreign navies, commercial diving companies and civilian organizations to reduce the risk of decompression illness, once commonly called "the bends."
- Canadian Underwater Mine-Countermeasures Apparatus (CUMACUMACUMA is a make of rebreather underwater breathing set designed and made in Canada for the Canadian Forces by Fullerton Sherwood Engineering Ltd to replace the Royal Navy CDBA....
) is a new diver mine-countermeasures (MCM) diving set with a depth capability of 80 metres, as well as being anti-acoustic and anti-magnetic. - The STInG (Sustained Tolerance to INcreased G) system, which provides G protection for pilots, superior to any current operational system.
- Virtual RealityVirtual realityVirtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
simulator for HelicopterHelicopterA helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
Deck Landing to simulate the dangerous task of landing a helicopter on the moving deck of a ship. - Clothe the Soldier project provided human engineering support to the Army's acquisition of over 24 new items of state-of-the-art soldier protective clothing and personal equipment
- Load Carriage Robot - an instrumented articulated manikin that mimics the movement of the human torso
- A Cold Exposure Survival Model (CESM) used in Search and RescueSearch and rescueSearch and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
(SAR) Operations - A Heat Stress Calculator for FirefighterFirefighterFirefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s used throughout Ontario.
DRDC Valcartier
DRDC Valcartier is located just outside CFB ValcartierCFB Valcartier
Canadian Forces Base Valcartier is a Canadian Forces Base located in the municipality of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, approximately north of Quebec City...
; it is the largest of the research centres. Founded in 1945 as the Canadian Armament Research and Development Establishment (CARDE), it became Defence Research Establishment Valcartier (DREV) in the early 1970s, and finally DRDC Valcartier (RDDC Valcartier in French) on April 1, 2000.
The primary research fields at DRDC Valcartier are optronics, information systems, and combat systems. The numerous achievements include the Black Brant
Black Brant (rocket)
The Black Brant is a Canadian-designed sounding rocket built by Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over 800 Black Brants of various versions have been launched since they were first produced in 1961, and the type remains one of the most popular sounding rockets ever built...
and CRV-7 rockets, the first laser, and many more.
Defence Research Establishment Pacific (DREP)
Closed in 1994.Located at Naden, in Esquimalt, a suburb of Victoria, BC, originally called the Pacific Naval Laboratory (PNL).
DREP was engaged in a variety of research areas. One group did materials research. Materials subgroups included one for Non Destructive Testing of materials including ultrasound, x-ray, and eddy current methods; a composite mechanics subgroup working on interlaminar fracture (delamination) of composite laminated structural materials and bolted joint mechanics research for composite; and a metals fracture subgroup.
Other groups worked on submarine detection, adhesives chemistry, and engine health monitoring.
Civilian achievements
Over the years, researchers at DRDC, sometimes in partnership with the NRCNational Research Council of Canada
The National Research Council is an agency of the Government of Canada which conducts scientific research and development.- History :...
and others, have been responsible for numerous innovations and inventions of practical application in the civilian world. These include the G-suit
G-suit
A G-suit, or the more accurately named anti-G suit, is worn by aviators and astronauts who are subject to high levels of acceleration force . It is designed to prevent a black-out and G-LOC caused by the blood pooling in the lower part of the body when under acceleration, thus depriving the...
, motorized wheelchair, the Alouette 1
Alouette 1
Alouette 1 was Canada's first satellite, and the first satellite constructed by a country other than the USSR or the United States. Occasionally, Alouette 1 is misrepresented as the third satellite successfully put in orbit, rather than being from the third country to have one of its own in space,...
satellite, Black Brant rocket
Black Brant (rocket)
The Black Brant is a Canadian-designed sounding rocket built by Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over 800 Black Brants of various versions have been launched since they were first produced in 1961, and the type remains one of the most popular sounding rockets ever built...
, improvements to the carbon dioxide laser
Carbon dioxide laser
The carbon dioxide laser was one of the earliest gas lasers to be developed , and is still one of the most useful. Carbon dioxide lasers are the highest-power continuous wave lasers that are currently available...
, flight data recorder
Flight data recorder
A flight data recorder is an electronic device employed to record any instructions sent to any electronic systems on an aircraft. It is a device used to record specific aircraft performance parameters...
, the Ballard fuel cell membrane
Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems , located in Burnaby, British Columbia -- a suburb of Vancouver -- is a company that designs, develops, and manufactures zero emission proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. This company has made a bus that uses only hydrogen fuel cells. These fuel cells combine hydrogen and...
, and the Bombsniffer
Demining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
(using gas chromatomography and ion mobility spectrometry).
DRDC Atlantic traces its formation to 1944 when it was established as the Defence Research Establishment Atlantic (DREA) by the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
. DREA was one of the originating organizations that came together in 1947 to form the Defense Research Board which later became DRDC.
See also
- Canadian government scientific research organizationsCanadian government scientific research organizationsExpenditures by federal and provincial organizations on scientific research and development accounted for about 10% of all such spending in Canada in 2006...
- Canadian university scientific research organizationsCanadian university scientific research organizationsExpenditures by Canadian universities on scientific research and development accounted for about 40% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2006....
- Canadian industrial research and development organizationsCanadian industrial research and development organizationsExpenditures by Canadian corporations on research and development accounted for about 50% of all spending on scientific research and development in Canada in 2007....
- Canada and weapons of mass destructionCanada and weapons of mass destructionCanada does not currently possess any weapons of mass destruction and has signed treaties repudiating possession of them. Canada ratified the Geneva Protocol in 1930 and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty in 1970.- Introduction :...
- Royal Military College of CanadaRoyal Military College of CanadaThe Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
- Canadian Forces CollegeCanadian Forces CollegeThe Canadian Forces College is a military school for senior and general officers of the Canadian Forces. The college provides military education courses meant to enable officers to effectively provide leadership within the Canadian Forces. Additionally, the Non-Commissioned Members Profession...
- The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP)The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP)The Technical Cooperation Program is a long standing international organisation concerned with cooperation on defense science and technology matters, including national security and civil defense...
- An international defence science and technology collaboration between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. - Defence Research and Development Canada participates in the WorldWideScienceWorldWideScienceWorldWideScience.org is a global science search engine designed to accelerate scientific discovery and progress by accelerating the sharing of scientific knowledge...
global science gateway. - Defence Research AgencyDefence Research AgencyThe Defence Research Agency , was an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence from April 1991 until April 1995. At the time the DRA was Britain's largest science and technology organisation...
- Defence Evaluation and Research AgencyDefence Evaluation and Research AgencyThe Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation...
- DstlDstlThe Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is a trading fund of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom. Responsibility for Dstl lies with the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, currently Peter Luff....
- 2011 Canadian government hackings2011 Canadian government hackingsIn February 2011, news sources revealed that the Government of Canada suffered cyber attacks by foreign hackers using IP addresses from China. The hackers managed to infiltrate three departments within the government and transmit classified information back to them...