News and Events

Spotlight on Science & Technology (S&T)

February 2008

Northern Watch: a Window into Canadian Arctic Surveillance

Ecotourism, climate change, and arctic sovereignty have renewed international public and commercial interest in the Canadian Arctic. With this increased interest, it becomes even more crucial for Canada to have an awareness for northern activities and events that could affect its security, safety, economy, and environment.

In response, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) has initiated a Technology Demonstration Program project called "Northern Watch" that will provide the Department of National Defence with potential cost-effective technological options for northern surveillance on the water, underwater, on land, and in the air.

The Northern Watch project will consist of a series of trials, studies and simulations which will explore surveillance capabilities in the unique arctic environment. The series of trials will take place between 2008 and 2010 in the Barrow Strait of Gascoyne Inlet on Devon Island. The trials will consist of developing and integrating a combination of both surface and underwater sensors that could collect surveillance data at navigation choke points where marine traffic passes through.

The 2008 trial will focus on evaluating the sensors' performance. Once the equipment is up and running at the site, scientists will conduct controlled experiments observing how the sensors work in the environment with calibrated targets and vessel traffic. After collecting several weeks of data, the project team will return to the lab to examine how sensor performance can be improved. They will also investigate how to integrate these sensors with other sensor technologies. Later trials will focus on completing the picture by integrating surface, space and underwater sensors and examining how they can work together for optimal, cost-effective performance. Northern Watch results will be used to determine whether a permanent network of monitoring stations for the arctic is technologically and economically feasible.

Canada has a long history in arctic research, in which the Northern Watch is just another example. It will build upon decades of work, to further ensure the security, safety, and economic prosperity of all Canadians.