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Research and Development Programs at National Defence

Dr. Bob Walker, DND

Tuesday, 26 Nov 2002, 6:30 p.m. - refreshments; 7:00 p.m. - presentation

Air Force Officers Mess, 162 Gloucester St, Ottawa

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is a Special Operating Agency within National Defence charged with management and delivery of defence R&D to ensure the future technological readiness of the Canadian Forces. DRDC operates within a unique management construct for the formulation and delivery of government science, particularly in the manner in which it is able to partner its in-house capabilities with those of the private sector, universities and allies. The presentation will describe how the defence R&D program is formulated and delivered, and the mechanisms employed to facilitate the transition of technologies arising from the investment into fielded capabilities. The presentation will also highlight how DRDC manages its internal Science and Technology competencies to ensure that it has the right people with the right knowledge and expertise to address the Canadian Forces future technological challenges.

In 1999-2000, DRDC had 1050 employees and a S&T budget of $210M. DRDC helps develop Canadian S&T industrial defence capability and participates in external S&T projects. Its expertise includes: Sensors and Information Technology (e.g. electronic warfare, radar, infrared and electro-optical surveillance, data fusion, and decision support); Combat Systems (e.g. weapons effects, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, ballistics, and energetic materials); and Human Systems (e.g. human factors, psychological and physical performance, simulation and training, protection and operational medicine).

The objective is to create an innovative path into the future through S&T research and development. Achievement of the DRDC goal will be realized through the dedication of highly skilled and motivated scientific and technical teams offering world class R&D across a broad spectrum of defence technology and working in unique test and engineering facilities across Canada.

Dr. Walker is currently the Director General, Research and Development Programs at Defence R&D Canada (DRDC), a position he has held since 1998. During his 25 year career at DRDC, Dr. Walker has held the position of DG at Defence Research Establishment Valcartier (1995), Director of Research & Development Communications and Space (1990), and Head of Defence Research Establishment Atlantic's Signal Processing Section (1987). Dr. Walker holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University.

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(Modified: 27 feb 2004)