Royal Canadian Air Force implements new technology for search and rescue missions
September 10, 2024 - Defence Stories
By Captain Meagan Duncan, 1 Canadian Air Division
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) generates the aeronautical search and rescue (SAR) capabilities that are delivered under the authority of the Canadian Joint Operations Command on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces. The search phase of SAR operations can be particularly challenging given the vast and diverse terrain of Canada's geography and environmental conditions, but the RCAF have now begun to employ a new technology called the Cellular Airborne Sensors for Search and Rescue (CASSAR) system that will help locate individuals more quickly saving valuable time in a distress situation and improving search outcomes.
The CASSAR system is currently being used on specific CC-130H Hercules aircraft at 19 Wing Comox, B.C.; 17 Wing Winnipeg, MB.; and 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S. and has been successfully employed on search and rescue missions including on June 8, 2024, when a boat with five people onboard was reported overdue, and on June 15, 2024, when two missing hunters equipped with a boat were reported overdue. Crews of CC-130H Hercules from 413 Squadron (based at 14 Wing Greenwood) were able to locate the missing vessels using the CASSAR system and communicate with their occupants within minutes of being in range, despite prevailing weather conditions that included thick fog.
Provided that an individual is reported overdue or believed to be in distress, and their cellphone is turned on (has sufficient battery power and not in airplane mode), a CASSAR equipped aircraft can identify and communicate with a search subject's cellphone, providing a precise location and enabling text or voice message to confirm condition and validate the level of distress, even in the absence of a cellular network.
Compliant with the Privacy Act and the Radiocommunication Act and Regulations, CASSAR does not intercept any personal data and cannot retain information beyond the near-term requirements of the mission. Coordination with network service providers ensures that the CASSAR system will not interfere with cellphone networks in the region that it is being used, and limits CASSAR interaction to the specific cellphone belonging to a missing individual using a cellphone's unique network identification. The system has no ability to intercept any cellphone's contact list, text messages, emails, or voice calls. The CASSAR capability will strictly be used for SAR purposes, to locate and communicate with persons reported missing and believed to be in distress.
This new technology will augment existing SAR capabilities so "that others may live."