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Spotlight on S&T - April 2005

Happy 5th Anniversary, DRDC!

This month Defence R&D Canada celebrates its 5th Anniversary as a special operating agency with the Department of National Defence. DRDC's legacy of shaping the future goes back more than 60 years to its predecessors. But in fact, 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.

The No. 1 Clinical Investigation Unit
(CIU) in 1939, which later became
part of Defence and Civil Institute
of Environmental Medicine (DCIEM).

During World War II, Canada's effort was more substantial because the National Research Council (NRC) and Canadian universities turned over large parts of their research effort to defence problems. By the end of the war, Canada had a strong competence in defence research and development. To maintain this competence and to allow NRC to return to its peacetime pursuits, a new organization was created.

1947 - The Defence Research Board (DRB) was created by an amendment to the National Defence Act. The DRB provided scientific advice to the Minister of National Defence, met the research requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces, and contributed to the collective defence research efforts of Canada's allies. It also supported research of defence interest in Canadian universities and industries.

Defence Research Establishment
Suffield (DRES) Dry Lab allows
chemists to work with air-sensitive
chemicals without risk to
the environment.

1960s - Following the integration of the Canadian Forces the research functions of DRB were also integrated into a single program within the Department.

1974 - The Research and Development Branch was formed under the control of the Chief of Research and Development (CRAD). CRAD was responsible for the overall conduct of the R&D program in the Department.

April 1, 2000 - Creation of Defence R&D Canada, an agency within the Department of National Defence. Agency status has provided new and expanded authorities that serve it well in continuing to provide scientific excellence to meet the needs of the Canadian Forces and make R&D contributions to the growth of Canada's economy.

April 1, 2005 - Canada's leader in defence and national security R&D turns five! With six research centreslocated across Canada with a corporate office in Ottawa, DRDC ensures the Canadian Forces are technologically relevant and operationally prepared. DRDC has an annual budget of $250 million and employs 1400 people. With a broad scientific program, with 182 reports of invention since 2000, DRDC actively collaborates with industry, international allies, academia, other government departments and the national security community. DRDC actively supports the Canadian economy through technology transfers to private industry; 28 license agreements have been signed since 2000.

In the past five years, DRDC has had a major impact in shaping the scientific and technological horizon of the Canadian Forces. Let's take a look at some of these initiatives that have had an impact on the Canadian Forces.

DRDC Atlantic scientists deploy
the buoy in field trials.

After September 11, 2001, DRDC added several important initiatives to its counter-terrorism research and development work. These projects, such as The Counter Terrorism Technology Centre, were funded from the $7.7-billion national security program announced in the 2002 federal budget.

DRDC researchers are always pushing the scientific envelope to ensure the CF are prepared, from the stealth buoy that is the latest in marine surveillance to the latest U.S.-Canada land vehicle concept. DRDC also examine various ways of increasing the performance of CF personnel. One innovative, yet simplistic, way is with caffeinated bubble gum.

This tradition of excellence in S&T empowers DRDC to deliver solutions and foresight to the Canadian Forces while making sure they are technologically prepared and operationally relevant.