Research Centres

Defence R&D Canada operates seven research centres across Canada, each with a unique combination of expertise and facilities to carry out world class science and technology research.

DRDC Suffield

DRDC Suffield offers expertise in military engineering, autonomous intelligent systems, and defence against chemical and biological (CB) agents. Key research areas include explosives threat assessment and blast effects, detection of landmines, neutralization of landmines and unexploded ordnance, bulk explosives detection, novel energetic materials, CB detection and identification, medical countermeasures and toxicology, CB hazard assessment, and physical protection against CB agents. DRDC Suffield also offers live agent training to the Canadian Forces, international military, and first responder communities.

DRDC Toronto

DRDC Toronto is Canada's centre of excellence for human effectiveness science and technology in the defence and national security environment. Using a systems-based approach, the centre covers all aspects of human performance and effectiveness, including individual and team performance, human-machine interaction, and the influence of culture on operational effectiveness. DRDC Toronto also supports the operational needs of the Canadian Forces through research, advice, test and evaluation, and training in the undersea and aerospace environments.

DRDC Ottawa

DRDC Ottawa is the Department of National Defence's lead authority and centre of expertise for radiofrequency communications, sensing, electronic warfare, network security and information operations technologies and systems, radiation effects, space systems, synthetic environments and modelling and simulation. Combining scientific expertise, unique experimental facilities, and strategic alliances, DRDC Ottawa provides solutions for today's defence and security challenges.

DRDC Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS)

DRDC CSS is a joint endeavour with Public Safety Canada. It provides science and technology services and support to address national public safety and security objectives. The centre's capabilities lie in leading and administering research, development, testing and evaluation of technologies, identifying future trends and threats, as well as a network of national and international science and technology partners within the public safety and security communities.

DRDC Valcartier

DRDC Valcartier has world-leading expertise in optronic systems, information systems, and combat systems. The scope of activities includes spectral and geospatial exploitation, tactical surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control decision support systems, intelligence and information, systems of systems, energetic materials, precision weapons, weapons effects and protection, and electro-optical warfare. These research activities result in innovative applications and meaningful impact in the defence and security environment. The Defence engineering Valcartier section brings together multidisciplinary teams to offer the Canadian Forces state-of-the-art scientific expertise, world class facilities and turnkey project management. DRDC Valcartier's mission to support the various operational needs of the Canadian Forces is achieved in collaboration with industry and numerous partners from the regional, national and international scientific communities.

DRDC Atlantic

DRDC Atlantic has world-leading expertise in antisubmarine warfare, mine and torpedo defence, air and naval platform technology, the modelling and simulation of ship and combat systems, shipboard command and control, maritime information and knowledge management, emerging materials, power sources, and signature management. This expertise is applied primarily to the maritime defence and security domains, but also to the air and land environments.

DRDC Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (DRDC CORA)

DRDC CORA provides scientific rigour to decision support and option analysis to the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces, and Canadian security partners. DRDC CORA scientists deliver options, recommendations, and potential outcomes to key decision makers using a variety of tools and methodologies. DRDC CORA's scientific expertise is drawn from the academic domains of mathematics, physics, engineering, sociology, anthropology, history, and political science. DRDC CORA scientists apply their skill sets as part of networked teams providing multi-disciplinary results.