The Canadian military is set to transform a section of downtown Ottawa into a testing ground for drone-detection technologies during the final week of November. Scheduled from November 24 to 28, the Department of National Defence (DND) will deploy small drones, some weighing less than two kilograms, above the Kent and Sparks streets vicinity. This initiative aims to allow 20 chosen tech firms to assess their ability to detect these drones.
The trials, overseen by various military units, will evaluate the effectiveness of the companies’ drone-detection prototypes in a controlled urban setting. The primary objective is to develop tools that can safeguard crowds at outdoor events, according to the department. Interested parties were invited to create technology capable of countering a range of threats, such as drone swarms, fast-flying drones maneuvering around structures at speeds of up to 200 km/h, and tethered unmanned aircraft.
The prototypes are expected to secure a four-block radius or protect a visiting dignitary at an outdoor function. The department has allocated $1.75 million in prizes for innovative technologies deemed promising. Assurance was given by DND that the trials will be carried out safely, with no testing of destructive technologies in this phase. Additionally, a nighttime trial is on the agenda, as stated by DND.