Fast fracture test also generates unique post-blast fractured aircraft structures
June 18, 2007, Paris, France — The National Research Council of Canada Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace) has successfully completed a three-day controlled exercise, the first of its kind in Canada, that involved the deliberate "demolition" of a decommissioned, pressurized Boeing 727 at NRC's Uplands campus in Ottawa. Participants in the exercise included a number of Canadian security technology developers and emergency response operators. The blast was achieved by detonating a bomb hidden in a laptop computer that was concealed in the aircraft's cargo bay, which was filled with luggage.
The test gave companies an opportunity to demonstrate their latest security technologies and provided NRC Aerospace with post-blast fractured aircraft structures for research and future reference. It also simulated a high-risk security environment to test the expertise and capabilities of the participating first-response groups. Two labs, one forensic and another for handling the debris, were installed near the explosion site, while thirty post-blast investigators from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada's Department of National Defence(DND), and the Ottawa police service were deployed following the explosion to find the pieces of the bomb in the debris. The Ottawa Airport Fire Department and Ottawa Fire Services carried out a full response operation to extinguish the subsequent fire.
"The exercise turned out to be of tremendous training value to everyone," stated Ron Gould, NRC Aerospace test coordinator. "For example, trainees that were part of the fire fighter crew now have real experience with a real fire in a real aircraft."
To gain access to the seat of the fire, airport firefighters used a piercing nozzle; as a result, the post-blast fire was successfully extinguished in 30 minutes. François Jacquet, Chief of the Ottawa Airport Fire Department, stated, "This once-in-a-lifetime training opportunity allowed our fire department to gain valuable experience. It also made us realize how quickly fire spreads from a cargo hold into the main cabin."
With the test completed, NRC Aerospace will study the damaged aircraft to learn about fractures caused by explosions, as opposed to regular wear and tear — knowledge that could help in future accident investigations. "If we are ever asked to help determine whether an explosive device was involved in the loss of an aircraft, we'll now have something to refer to," stated Nick Bellinger, NRC Aerospace Structures Group Leader.
NRC Aerospace invited eight Canadian companies specializing in security technologies to participate in the exercise: Frontline Robotics and its subsidiary White Box Robotics (Ottawa), Information Engineering Group (Montreal), Anvil Technologies (North York, Ontario), Terrapoint Canada Inc. (Ottawa), Smart Camera (Calgary), Nuctech (Ottawa), and LochIsle Inc. (Ottawa). Tidex Systems, from Israel, also participated.
Frontline Robotics, specializing in unmanned perimeter security applications, showcased a small "R2D2"-like robot equipped with sensors to scan for bombs in the cargo or passenger compartments of an aircraft. Information Engineering Group specializing in software solutions for automated surveillance, with Smart Camera and other partners demonstrated their unique, wireless, and battery-operated speed bump camera system that scans the license plates of cars entering a secure area and checks them against a database of approved vehicles. Within minutes of the detonation, Anvil Technologies provided first-responders with real-time access to on-site information using RECoN™, a lightweight and portable emergency communications network that rapidly provides voice, video and data communication via satellite. Terrapoint Canada Inc. created a 3-D scale model of the debris field, using their vehicle-mounted LiDAR scanner TITAN™technology that gave a picture of the complete scene.
Smart Camera, specializing in video analytics, provided automated site monitoring, perimeter control and alerting capabilities using mobile cameras that relay live video to a remote monitoring station, where it can be shared instantly with specialists around the world. "That was very interesting," stated RCMP Special Constable, Jean-Yves Vermette. "For example, if we found a device at a disaster scene that we didn't recognize, we could talk immediately to somebody at the bomb data centre in the UK, or at the FBI, and ask them whether they have knowledge of it."
Other showcased products included Nuctech's X-ray Liquid Security and Binocular Stereoscopic Vehicle/Cargo Inspection Systems, LochIsle's iLochTM Internet connected door lock that allows door "keys" to be associated with individuals instead of with doors, and Tidex Systems' iPlus technology, which transforms regular 2-D video footage into a true-to-reality 3-D model.
Canadahas developed many technologies to fight crime and terrorism, but often these technologies are not well known. "With this exercise we pulled together the best Canadian solutions in the field of emergencies and gave them exposure to the right audience," stated Gould. "Testing their technologies together allowed these companies to explore how their products could be integrated to further reduce the chance of an emergency situation and to arm responders with effective tools."
Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canadathrough science and technology. NRC Aerospace is Canada's national aerospace laboratory, undertaking and promoting research and technology development in support of the Canadian aerospace community in matters affecting the design, manufacture, performance, use and safety of aerospace vehicles.
For more information, please visit the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or contact:
Sarah Mangione
Media Relations
National Research Council Canada
Tel.: (613) 990-6091
E-mail: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Michelle Gagnon
Communications Officer
National Research Council Canada
Tel: 613-991-5738
E-mail: michelle.gagnon@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
James R.O. McIntyrePresidentRomeo Oscar Inc.Tel: 514-780-8525E-mail: Jamie@romeooscar.com
