The Canadian military is set to transform a section of downtown Ottawa into a testing ground for drone detection during the final week of November. Between Nov. 24-28, the Department of National Defence (DND) will conduct tests with small drones, some weighing less than two kilograms, above the Kent and Sparks streets area. Twenty technology companies have been chosen to participate in assessing the effectiveness of their drone detection prototypes in a controlled urban setting, overseen by various military units.
The main objective of these trials is to evaluate and enhance tools that can safeguard crowds at outdoor events, as stated by the department. Interested parties were invited to create technology capable of countering different drone threats, such as drone swarms, fast-moving drones maneuvering around structures at speeds of up to 200 km/h, and tethered unmanned aerial systems. The prototypes must demonstrate the ability to secure a four-block radius or protect a visiting dignitary at an open-air function.
The department has allocated $1.75 million in prizes for innovative technologies that show promise. It has assured that the trials will be conducted with safety as a top priority, emphasizing that no harmful technologies will be tested in this phase. Additionally, one of the planned trials will take place at night, according to DND.
