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
BREAKING Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole dies at 90: CBC
Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Cole died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
2 teens charged in Halifax homicide: police
Two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to an alleged homicide near the Halifax Shopping Centre earlier this week.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
12-year-old hippo in Japan raised as a male discovered to be a female
When Gen-chan arrived at a zoo in Japan in 2017, no one questioned whether the then-five-year-old hippopotamus was a boy. Seven years later, zoo staff made a surprising discovery: Gen-chan, now 12, was female.
Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.