Vanguard Magazine

F E AT U R E www.vanguardcanada.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024 15 Sponsored Content reconfigurable trainers and standard trainee workstations combined with a robust virtual environment and a comprehensive instruc- tional system. "The FORC3 team, comprised of multiple Canadian industry- leading land defence solution providers, is in a strong position to provide Canadian soldiers with the best possible training and preparation for future operations", says Mathieu Voghel, Vice- President, Program Management at Rheinmetall Canada. Mathieu Voghel is a distinguished leader in the defence and tech- nology sectors, currently serving as a key executive at Rheinmetall Canada. With a robust background in engineering and management, Mathieu has made significant contributions to the advancement of defence technologies and the strategic direction of the company. Mathieu Voghel, Vice-President, Program Management, Rheinmetall Canada PERSPECTIVE T he Future Integrated Training Environment (FITE) is a concept of the Canadian Army that addresses the integration of live, virtual, and constructive training environments to support and improve individual and collective readiness. In essence, it advocates for the use of integrated and networked simulation programs to effectively and realistically prepare Canadian soldiers for the contemporary operating environment. The first tangible implementation of the FITE will be the procurement of the Land Virtual Crew Training System (LVCTS), which will provide a range of advanced combat vehicle simulations, transforming individual and collective training for mounted combat operations. The FORC3 team—a strategic partnership between Rheinmetall Canada, Lockheed Martin Canada, Calian, Bluedrop Training and Simulation, EllisDon Construction and Building Services, and REDspace Incorporated—is positioned to provide the most ad- vanced training solution for the LVCTS project. With over four decades of combined expertise, FORC3 has secured the domestic capabilities to build and operate five state-of-the-art LVCTS simu- lation centres across the country. These custom-built centres will enable progressive training at the individual, crew, platoon, and higher echelon levels using high-fidelity trainers, medium-fidelity The five custom-built simulation centres proposed by FORC3 will create realistic synthetic environments that replicate the future land operating environment. detection capabilities remain effective in the face of evolving drone technologies and tactics. Through ongoing research and developments, these systems continu- ously update their knowledge base, allow- ing them to adapt to emerging threats and maintain relevance over time. This adapt- ability is particularly advantageous in dy- namic environments such as airports, criti- cal infrastructure sites, and urban areas, where the proliferation of drones poses an ever-evolving security challenge. There are challenges and limitations, however. One notable concern is the po- tential for false positives and false nega- tives, where the system erroneously iden- tifies benign objects as drones or fails to detect actual threats. Additionally, the reli- ance on large datasets for training can be resource-intensive and may raise privacy and ethical considerations regarding data collection and usage. While the role of ML and AI in drone detection advances offers immense potential for enhancing security measures, stakeholders must care- fully consider the trade-offs and challenges associated with these technologies. By ad- dressing these concerns through ongoing research, development, collaboration, and regulatory frameworks, the integration of ML and AI in drone detection can contin- ue to evolve, empowering organizations to safeguard critical assets, infrastructure, and public safety against the emerging threats posed by drones. The Bottom Line As drones become more integrated into our lives, robust detection systems are es- sential for maintaining safety and security. Whether through radar, lidar, acoustics or computer vision, the advancements in these technologies ensure that our skies remain both efficient and secure. Regard- less of the sensor modality, AI will play a crucial role interpreting data and mak- ing decisions. As technology grows, poli- cymakers continue to adapt regulations to balance innovation with public safety and privacy. Drone enthusiasts and pro- fessionals alike must stay informed and comply with these rules to foster a har- monious coexistence between drones and society. Aryaz Baradarani received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Windsor in 2012. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Endowment Scholar Award, Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship in Science and Technology, President's Excellence Scholarship, and International Graduate Excellence Scholarship. Dr. Roman Gr. Maev is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Windsor and founding Director-General of The Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research, Canada - a multidisciplinary, collaborative research institute.

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