by Chris Thatcher   As this edition was going into production, approximately 80 people from various organizations across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) were departing for California and the U.S. Army’s National Training Center at Fort Irwin. Their destination was the fourth iteration of Project Convergence, called Capstone 4, a U.S. Army Futures Command-led experimentation from late February to mid March for multinational interoperability — this time focused on layered air and missile defence. The size of the Canadian contingent, led by ..read more

Ottawa, April 11 – Babcock Canada (Babcock), a defence and aerospace company, and Roshel, a leading manufacturer of armoured special purpose vehicles, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaboratively explore opportunities to support the Canadian Armed Forces. For over 16-years, Babcock has been proud to play a critical role supporting Canada’s safety and security. With a focus on mission critical assets, Babcock is trusted to support members of the Canadian Armed Forces from coast-to-coast. As Babcock expands its operations in Canada, it continues to draw on its global experi ..read more

by Canadian Army Today Staff   In the past three months, the federal government has secured contracts for several urgent operational requirements (UOR) for the Canadian-led multinational brigade under Operation Reassurance. While not permanent solutions to capabilities the Army will need in modern warfare — many of those are being acquired through major capital procurement projects — the UORs will provide a stopgap for the brigade in Latvia until those future capabilities deliver.  An Italian soldier aims the Rafael Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile. Photo: Spc Uriel Ramirez Portab ..read more

Story and photos by Chris Thatcher   On a clear, cool morning in mid April, a platoon from Charlie Company of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) loaded into three CH-146 Griffons and a CH-147F Chinook and lifted off into the training range of 4 Wing Cold Lake to retrieve a downed fighter pilot evading capture behind enemy lines.  Over the previous 24 hours, Jack, as they were calling him, had been on the move, meeting communications check-in windows while an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) monitored his progress from above. A tactical aviation air m ..read more

This Issue Tech talkers in Latvia UORs under contract C4ISR battle lab Building out the Army app Teaching tech staff Loitering or rocket artillery Light tactical vehicles Canada’s first NATO bridage ..read more

by Maude Amyot-Bourgeois, Dr. George Nikolakakos, Dr. Katherine M. Banko    The Canadian Army, both alone and with allies, regularly conducts live and computer assisted exercises (CAX). Often incorporating military simulation and virtual components, these activities can be used to achieve a variety of goals including the identification of capability gaps; exposure to near-ready technologies to improve procurement; the trialing or experimenting of new equipment and associated tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) (e.g., Bold Quest); exploring new organizational structures and/or ..read more

What was once labeled a midlife upgrade is now a full modernization program. Over the past three years, Weapons Effects Simulation (WES) has transformed from an enhancement of the equipment the Army currently uses to capture weapons and other effects in training, to a more substantial effort to improve and expand the capability.  “The change in name was to make sure that it communicates the complete scope of the project, which is not only to update the equipment but, in many instances, will involve the full replacement of system and the procurement of increased capacity,” explained Major ..read more

by Lt(N) Andrew McLaughlin   Master Corporal Afton David is a mother, a lawyer, and a leader in the Canadian Army Reserve infantry with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa ((Duke of Edinburgh’s Own). We’re proud to tell her story on International Women’s Day. A former varsity rugby player and a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Civil Law and Common Law National Program, she started with a bachelor’s degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa, and is currently taking a master’s in Public Administration from the Royal Military College. She was als ..read more

By Ian Coutts   We’ve all heard that old line about someone who, perhaps after a night of convivial socializing, resembles “forty miles of bad road.” Try 20,000 kilometres. That’s what the Army is subjecting four new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSV) to. Bad roads, tough terrain and pretty much anything else that they can throw at them. All to make sure that by the end of the evaluation—however many miles or kilometres each ACSV may traverse—the vehicles do not resemble or operate like all that bad road. That’s Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Durability (RAMD) testing ..read more

Leonardo has been awarded a contract by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to provide its Falcon Shield C-UAS system for operation by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The company will provide a number of systems and a 10-year sustainment package that includes options for additional equipment and the spiral development of new capabilities. First systems will be delivered later this year to the CAF, which will immediately deploy Falcon Shield to forward operating bases to protect deployed personnel. Falcon Shield is the UK’s operationally proven solution to the growing threat from gro ..read more