The All Domain Situational Awareness science and technology program
is making long-term investments to provide a greater
awareness of safety and security issues,
transportation and commercial activity in Canada’s Arctic.
Solutions achived under the program support the government of Canda's ability to
exercise sovereignty in the North
That means knowing who is travelling to
and through, the Canadian Arctic and it's
approaches at all times.
Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged,
committed to renewing the existing North Warning System
as part of NORAD Modernization.
The collaborative projects spawned by the
ADSA program are leading the way for this
change which is an essential component of our
commitment to defending the continent.
Scientists from Defence Research and Development Canada
are designing, building, and demonstrating an
adapted version of a newer, more advanced form of
“Over-the-Horizon Radar”–
able to detect potential threats thousands
of kilometers away by bouncing radar waves off the ionosphere.
An underwater network of sensors to detect sounds and
vibrations of maritime traffic is also being explored.
Defence scientists are characterizing the changing Arctic
underwater environment to calibrate these systems.
Scientists at DRDC are developing prototypes that will influence
and inform the development of maritime surveillance in the future.
The ADSA program is also exploring the novel
application of quantum information science to
create next generation specialized radars to help
defend Canada’s North.
Context-aware sensor systems have also been designed
to gather information about different environments
and adapt to these environments in real-time.
This is proactively addressing newer threats in the
Canadian Arctic, allowing the Canadian Armed Forces
to remain agile in an ever-changing security landscape.
The development of space-based earth observation
intelligence capabilities integrates multipurpose
microsatellites, enhancing how the Forces quickly
detect ships and aircraft approaching the Arctic.
Innovations such as these will become the eyes and
ears of Canada’s North, keeping a careful watch over
those travelling above and below Canadian Arctic waters.
In partnership with Industry, Academia, and allies,
Defence Research and Development Canada continues
to innovate and update security
infrastructure keeping Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces
strong, secure and engaged.