Canada seeking new torpedo countermeasures for military submarines
The Canadian navy is on the hunt for a new system to defeat hostile torpedoes as it works to extend the life of its four Victoria-class submarines through the mid-2030s.
In documents published last week, the Department of National Defence and Procurement Canada say advances in sonar technology and torpedo guidance systems have made anti-submarine torpedoes more effective than ever at overcoming decoys and other countermeasures.
Canada's military submarines currently use small, three-inch beacons that have to be manually loaded and launched from either end of the boat to counter a torpedo threat.
There are two types of beacons currently in use; one that creates enough electroacoustic noise to hide the submarine from sonar detection, and another that produces a flurry of false sonar targets in an attempt to exhaust a searching torpedo until it runs out of fuel.
The order to launch the decoys has to be given verbally from the sub's control room to the beacon operator, hindering the crew's ability to respond quickly.
"The lack of integration or remote-control functionality greatly reduces already limited reaction time, decreasing the prospect of surviving a torpedo attack," says Procurement Canada in its request for information from military suppliers.
The goal of the agency and the DND is to eventually provide Canada's four diesel-electric submarines with a launch system that is fitted to the submarine's external hull and can be triggered remotely, according to the request.
LONG-TERM MODERNIZATION PROJECT
Despite the current lack of integration and remote functionality, a National Defence spokesperson says the navy's existing anti-torpedo countermeasures "are adequate to fulfil today’s operational requirements."
"However, given the rapidly evolving technological landscape, an upgraded torpedo countermeasure launch capability project is being included as part of the broader Victoria-class modernization project," said spokesperson Andrew McKelvey.
The long-term submarine modernization project, valued at between $1 billion and $4.99 billion, is intended to extend the life of the submarines though the mid-2030s and is a cornerstone of Canada's defence policy.
The timeline for the torpedo countermeasure replacement project will be determined after the information-request period closes on Aug. 26, McKelvey said.
"Consulting industry early in the process helps establish contracts down the line with improved pricing structures, better definition of requirements, improved timelines and built-in consideration of procurement opportunities," the spokesperson said.
"It will also ensure that we receive the maximum number of bids that meet the necessary technical requirements."
Canada's military submarines are based at Canadian Forces Base Halifax and Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. The subs can operate globally on deployments that typically last up to two months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Luxury cruise line selling world cruise suite for US$1.7 million
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Oppenheimer' finally premieres in Japan to mixed reactions and high emotions
'Oppenheimer' finally premiered Friday in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film. Japanese filmgoers' reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.