QUEBEC - Defence R & D Canada - Valcartier (DRDC Valcartier) today announced it has transferred cutting-edge technology in underwater surveillance to D-Fense Ltée, a technology company based in Quebec City.
The transfer involves the underwater camera called LUCIE (an acronym for "Laser Underwater Camera Image Enhancer"), a device that was developed at DRDC Valcartier. The unique and distinctive characteristics of LUCIE allow it to surpass currently available underwater cameras and make it a tool of choice for activities involving search and rescue, investigation and underwater surveillance. The camera can identify targets at up to five times greater distances than conventional cameras.
LUCIE possess the ability to eliminate backscattering this elimination is unavailable on conventional cameras and enables the camera's imaging system to focus on light reflected from objects a specific distance away while filtering out light reflected from particles in suspension. The camera, which will be marketed by D-Fense Ltée under the brand name of Sea Surveyor, can be transported aboard small rubber dinghies to allow for rapid deployment on missions.
"In addition to conducting cutting-edge technology research and development, our organization has made it its mission to promote technologies capable of producing commercial applications from our research work," explained Denis Faubert, the Director General of DRDC Valcartier.
The LUCIE project, an effort that spanned more than 10 years, was made possible by financial support from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat.
DRDC Valcartier is one of the centres of Defence R&D (DRDC), a Department of National Defence agency whose mission is to meet the needs of the Canadian Forces in the field of science and technology. DRDC comprises six research centres across Canada and a program office in Ottawa. It manages a budget of $300 million and has some 1,500 employees . DRDC conducts its scientific programs in partnership with industry, international allies, academic institutions, other government organizations, and agencies dedicated to national security.
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Lise Ladouceur
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