Vanguard Magazine

10 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit REp Kraken Robotics Inc., a marine technology company, recently an- nounced that it will receive a $3 million non-refundable financial con- tribution from the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). This funding will be used to support the development of Kraken's seabed resident ThunderFish XL Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (TFXL AUV). According to a news release, the TFXL AUV will be built upon the previ- ous development efforts of the ThunderFish Alpha AUV. The XL AUV will be larger with an increased depth rating, larger payload capacity, and longer mission endurance. It will also have key capabilities that are Kraken to receive $3 million from Canada to develop ThunderFish XL AUV lacking with similar underwater vehicles in the industry today. Some of these capabilities include the ability to transition from high-speed sur- vey mode to "zero" speed hovering mode in-mission; through-the sen- sor acoustic, laser, and optical target detection, image recognition and inspection; and using onboard sensors to improve vehicle navigational accuracy. The TFXL will be depth rated to 6,000 metres and carry an array of sen- sors and custom payload modules, including Kraken's AquaPix Synthetic Aperture Sonar, SeaVision 3D laser profiler, SeaThrust rim-driven thrust- ers, and SeaPower pressure tolerant batteries. These will be integrated with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms onboard the vehicle. Its modular design will allow for rapid sensor reconfiguration and battery replacement and will function as a seabed resident AUV that can run a wide variety of missions from its underwater docking station. The ThunderFish XL is significantly different from the more common "long-endurance" AUVs that are prevalent today according to the release. These include: • A much longer period of time in water; • Period of deployment involves multiple missions; • Vehicle may be completely shut down between missions; • Typically utilizes a subsea docking structure for safety; and • Typically involves charging and/or data download/communications while at the dock. "By combining our advanced sensor technologies with cutting edge arti- ficial intelligence algorithms, it is our objective to deliver a cost-effective AUV solution that is truly autonomous as opposed to being simply auto- mated," said Karl Kenny, President, and CEO of Kraken. Contract awarded for the design of future fighter infrastructure at Cold Lake The Government of Canada announced on August 27, a contract for the design of a new fighter jet facility at 4 Wing Cold Lake. The $9.2-million contract was awarded to EllisDon Construction Services Inc., of Edmon- ton, Alta., to design this facility, which is one of two main operating bases for Canada's future fighter aircraft. Another contract is in the works for a second facility at 3 Wing Bagotville, which is expected to be awarded next month. Both facilities will support the long-term maintenance and operation of the 88 new aircraft being procured through the Future Fight- er Capability Project (FFCP) for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). This contract is helping to move one step closer in preparing Cold Lake for the future fighter for Canada. "We invest in this modern infrastructure to house our future fighter aircraft because we know it is critical to ensuring the safety and secu- rity of Canadians, as well as meeting Canada's international obligations to NORAD and NATO," said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence. "A modern fighter jet fleet is essential for the defence of our country and its sovereignty, and these facilities are vital to enabling these operations." The Cold Lake facility will cover 19,300 m2 and will host two tactical fighter squadrons and provide space for daily operations, maintenance, administration, mission planning, and simulator training. It will also house operational and support training squadrons and their training fa- cilities. "This infrastructure project is a significant investment in the future of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Cold Lake community. Building this facility will help sustain jobs near the base, and will ensure our military is well equipped for the future," said Anita Vandenbeld, Parliamentary Sec- retary to the Minister of National Defence. Construction at both sites is expected to begin in summer 2022. Awarding these infrastructure design contracts before choosing a fu- ture fighter for Canada will ensure that both bases are ready for the first aircraft deliveries. THUNDERFISH Alpha trials in St. John's, Newfoundland in June 2017. Picture shows MINSAS 60 – 6,000 meter rated Synthetic Aperture Sonar. Image Kraken. Three Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet aircra fly over the Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase during Operation REAS- SURANCE– Air Task Force Romania on November 7, 2019. Photo: LS Erica Seymour, 4 Wing Imaging RP26-2019-0024-013

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