Canada Tests Above-the-Horizon Laser Weapons

Canada has become the fifth NATO country to test above-the-horizon lasers for countering drone threats without a geographic backdrop. From May 27 to June 21, 2024, Boeing and AIM Defence successfully conducted these tests during the IDEaS program’s CUAS Sandbox at DRDC’s Suffield Research Centre.

Careful coordination with air traffic, space operations, and the International Space Station ensured the safety of the tests. The National Defence Laser Safety Office played a key role by defining safety templates and establishing a coordination process with the 3rd Canadian Space Division and the U.S. Space Force.

Matt Ceh, a defence scientist at DRDC Suffield Research Centre, highlighted that lasers offer a cost-effective, expedient way to counter drones with minimal collateral damage compared to guns. He emphasized the importance of research trials for providing science-based advice to the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces.

The Sandbox aimed to advance counter-drone technologies in response to evolving drone threats. Innovators received unique testing facilities and feedback from military experts, helping them develop their technologies to meet the real-world needs of the CAF.

DRDC Suffield has hosted three IDEaS Sandboxes in 2019, 2022, and 2024, providing a vast experimental proving ground for iterative testing and demonstration. The most recent Sandbox featured 15 innovators from five countries testing counter-drone technologies and receiving feedback from experts, including the CAF, US Department of Defence, and RCMP.

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