Vanguard Magazine

18 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 www.vanguardcanada.com interview Artemis UAS. Photo: L3 Technologies MAS Inc. Initiative 85 calls for the development of a satellite communications constellation that will deliver Arctic communications infrastructure. The Enhanced Satellite Communication Project – Polar (ESCP-P) will provide the CAF with narrowband and wideband satellite communications (SATCOM), essential for beyond line of site (BLOS) communications over the Arctic and the rest of the Canadian area of responsibility (AOR). The project will be developed in parallel with RPAS, and both are scheduled to achieve Full Opera- tional Capability within the next 12 years. Q Canada's north is mostly serviced by non-paved runways: only Iqaluit and Inuvik are paved. Are there any RPAS platforms that can work from remote runways? If so, is that reflected in the requirements? The benefit of a medium-altitude, long- endurance (MALE) RPAS is that they are able to persist aloft for longer periods of time and travel great distances. As a re- sult, the existing runway infrastructure in the Arctic is suitable and positioned such that the latest generation of RPAS will be able to conduct patrols over any part of Canada's vast territory and to the outer edges of Canada's AOR. Q What are some of the unique capabilities that the RCAF is looking for with RPAS? RPAS is an integrated system with a ro- bust communications system that relays data back to a ground facility that con- tains an embedded intelligence-produc- tion capability. The system will be capa- ble of detecting, recognizing, identifying, and tracking targets of interest in com- plex environments, as well as providing that information, which is then translat- ed into actionable intelligence. As such, RPAS will provide the commander and all associated forces an enhanced awareness of not just the immediate battlefield but the whole area of responsibility. The RPAS precision strike weapon ca- pability, matched with its long endur- ance, will provide commanders with an uninterrupted, operational picture and will enable highly responsive weapons delivery. The weapons will include laser guided bombs for hardened threats and low-collateral damage weapons for tar- gets in sensitive areas. The characteristics of an RPAS are such that it reduces the risk to person- nel involved in operations on the ground through increased ISR capabilities. In ad- dition, there is no risk to aircrew life if a remotely piloted aircraft is lost or dam- aged, as opposed to our current ISR air- craft which are manned by a ten-person crew. Q What are some of the missions that RPAS will take part in, and how will it benefit the CAF? Strong Secure Engaged outlines eight core missions for the CAF, all of which RPAS will contribute to fulfilling. Our al- lies have shown that RPAS are a vital new capability for any modern military force. At home, this capability will help pro- tect the security and sovereignty of Cana- dians by monitoring Canadian territory. Since Canada has one the largest land- masses and some of the longest coast- lines, remotely piloted systems are ideally suited for surveillance and reconnaissance of our territory – particularly for mari- time approaches and the Arctic. In overseas operations, RPAS will sig- nificantly contribute to operational suc- cess. The system will contribute to intel- ligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, giving commanders an overview of op- erational situations with near-real-time information. Having a persistent, armed RPAS, will ensure that the CAF can more quickly respond to threats, contributing to the

• Cover