Defence Research and Development Canada
www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
About Defence R&D Canada
History of Defence R&D Canada
Recovering German magnetic mines
The history of Canadian defence research can be traced back to World War I, when Canadian scientists helped others from the Allied Powers alleviate the danger from submarines and sea-mines in the Atlantic Ocean. Twenty years later, during World War II, Canada's effort was more substantial, with the National Research Council (NRC) and Canadian universities turning over large portions of their research efforts to defence issues. By the end of the war, Canada had strong capabilities in defence research and development.
To maintain these capabilities and to allow the NRC to return to its peacetime pursuits, while avoiding competition for scientific manpower and resources, a new organization - the Defence Research Board (DRB) - was created in an amendment to the National Defence Act in April, 1947.
Defence Research Board crest
The DRB was directed to provide scientific advice to the Minister of National Defence, to meet the research requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces, and to contribute to the collective defence research efforts of Canada's allies. It was also required to support research of defence interest in Canadian universities and industries.
The DRB assumed administrative and functional control of the separate service research institutions in Canada, and at one time operated five of the seven present research centres together with laboratories in Kingston, Ontario; Churchill, Manitoba; and two additional establishments in Ottawa. The DRB also conducted an extensive program of extramural research through support by grants and contracts to Canadian universities and industry.
A head-mounted eye movement recording device was used for psychological tests.
Following the integration of the Canadian Forces in the mid-sixties, the element of competition for scientific manpower and dollar resources was no longer a valid argument for retaining a research organization as a separate arm of the Department of National Defence (DND). This fact, together with a requirement to reduce administrative overhead and a perceived need to draw the scientists into a closer relationship with the military, led to a decision to integrate the research functions of DRB into a single program within DND.
In 1974, the laboratories of the DRB were integrated with DND through the formation of the Defence Research and Development Branch (DRDB) to forge closer relationships between scientists and the military. The new branch was led by the Chief of Research and Development, who was now responsible for the overall conduct of the research and develpment program.
The XWEAR radar is installed on the Convair 580 during the SWATHBUCKLER experiment
DRDB entered a new period in its organizational history in 2000 when it became an agency within the Department of National Defence and became known as Defence R&D Canada. Agency status provided new and expanded authorities that have served it well in continuing to provide scientific excellence to meet the needs of the Canadian Forces and make science and technology contributions to the growth of Canada's economy.
The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11th, 2001, moved the issues of counter terrorism and national security to the top of the nation's agenda and Defence R&D Canada's science and technology expertise has played a vital role in this evolving geopolitical and military context.
In 2005, the DRDC Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) was created as a joint endeavour between Defence R&D Canada and Public Safety Canada to deliver S&T services and support to address national public safety and security objectives. DRDC CSS manages the CBRNE Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI) and the Public Security Technical Program (PSTP).
Supporting the Army - Operating the C4ISR lab at DRDC Valcartier
In 2006, DND announced the official release of its Defence S&T Strategy, Canada's first-ever pan-departmental guidance document for defence science and technology. The Defence S&T Strategy will guide Defence R&D Canada in appropriately aligning itself with the priorities of DND and the Canadian Forces in order to properly support Canada's defence institution.
