New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF)

Final Reports

Fiscal Year 1999-2000

Department of National Defence
(Canadian Forces)

• SKAD Dinghy Research and Development
• Self-Locating Datum Market Buoy - Phase 1 & 2
• Eyesafe Laser Based Obstacle Warning System
• Ice Release Tape for Helicopter Rotor Blades
• Integration of SAR Imaging Technologies
• Palletized Sensor Package for C130 Hercules
• CASARA Training in Resolute Bay
• CASARA Air/Ground Communications
• Install an MCC Network Server
• CASARA Handheld VHF/FM Radios
• Install a GEOLUT at the CTEC
• SARSAT Transportable Display

* Not Available

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This project was funded by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1996/1997.

The objective of this project was to improve the delivery accuracy of the air dropped life raft package delivered by SAR aircraft to vessels in distress or victims already in the water.  The kit consists of a minimum of two life rafts (maximum of four) containing survival equipment, which were tied to one another by a long rope. The objective of the delivery was to drop the rafts so that they landed upwind, and to either side of the victims. The rafts then drifted past the victims who are able to grab onto the rope and pull themselves into the nearest raft. This project involved changing the packaging and the delivery of the previously used life raft so that it would not blow away upon deployment from the aircraft.

Improving the packaging meant making the SKAD self-contained.  As a result, all of the survival gear is now kept in a valise inside the raft. Improvements were also needed to the delivery of the SKAD. Previously, the raft began inflating prior to hitting the water leading to the raft being blown out of the victims reach, and increasing the risk of the raft flipping upside down making it impossible for victims to rescue themselves. The new delivery system was designed so that the raft inflates when it hits the water. This new system of delivery increases drop accuracy, and reduces the chance of drifting and/or the raft flipping upside down. 

Development and trials of the packaging system and a revised method of delivery have proven successful. Field tests resulted in 12 out of 13 drops in which the rafts landed right side up. 

As soon as the contents of the survival equipment that goes into the rafts is improved, the new kit will be acquired for the SAR aircraft fleet.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1996/1997 (Phase 1) and 1998/1999 (Phase 2).

This project's objective was to develop a compact, air-deployable version of the Datum Marker Buoy previously developed by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). By using the CCG's research, testing and information, the project saved both money and development time. By incorporating the latest enhancements in technology, it was hoped that near real-time drift data could be sent directly to the appropriate Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) to be used in developing search plans. The initial phase involved operational testing of the production buoys and Phase II involved the implementation of design modifications, environmental testing, and "Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordinance" (HERO) testing.

ADM (Advanced Development Models) prototypes of the SLDMB buoys were tested during actual search and rescue cases (SAR VANESSA) and produced excellent results. Findings from field trials necessitated design modifications by the users that were later incorporated into the final production model of the SLDMB.  These modifications included a redesign of the program access system utilizing easily accessed push buttons and channel display LEDs, and modification of the compressed gas activation system from an explosive squib to a spring firing pin device. This latter modification made the SLDMB safer and less expensive to ship since the product was no longer classed as dangerous cargo.

The SLDMB has been successful as proven by its field trials.  During SAR VANESSA, the rescue of the only survivor was directly attributed to the accuracy of the SLDMB drift information in determining survivor drift patterns. The SLDMBs were also used during the Swiss Air 111 incident to help track floating debris and aid the search for human remains. The SLDMB development team has received various awards including the Deputy Minister's Commendation to the DREA (Defence Research Establishment Atlantic) staff in 1998 and the Distinctions 98 "Technology in Government" Gold Medal.

Deliverables

- Video - Self Locating Data Marker Buoy

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1996/1997.

The objective of the ELBOWS project was to develop an Advanced Development Model (ADM) to demonstrate the benefits of using an eyesafe laser-based radar system for obstacle warning during low-level helicopter search and rescue (SAR) flying operations. Obstacles such as power lines are a threat to pilots and many accidents are caused by the pilot colliding with things that he/she cannot see. Prior to this project it was very dangerous for helicopters to conduct SAR missions in reduced visibility conditions at a low level. 

ELBOWS represented a tool to enhance flight safety and enabled helicopters to embark on SAR missions regardless of visibility by scanning the environment with a laser and activating a warning system to alert pilots of hidden obstacles. 

The project involved investigating other promising technologies, developing and building the new technology, integrating the system for flight evaluation, and conducting performance tests.

The project continues to evolve by conducting various field trails and by developing an audio warning component of the technology.

Deliverables

- A Laser Based Obstacle Avoidance Systems for Low Flying Aircraft- report
- ALOAS Description and Flight Trial Results - report
- HELLAS: Obstacle Warning System for Helicopters - Video
- ALOAS - Airborne Laser Based Obstacle Avoidance System - Video

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1997/1998.

The Ice Release Tape for Helicopter Rotor Blades project developed an ice repellant coating in the form of a tape applied to the blades, to prevent the formation of ice or enhance the shedding of ice from helicopter blades once the ice has formed.

The project team designed an apparatus to characterize the increase in the weight of ice as it builds up on rotor blades and the rate of this build up. Many different tape coatings were tested using this apparatus and the coating that was chosen was able to maintain ice release characteristics for up to 96 hours of exposure to water spray.

Throughout the testing, the ice release tape was applied to "mock up" rotor blades. At the time of this report, no testing had been conducted on actual helicopters because the impact that the ice release tape would have on the electrical system was unknown.

© Canadian Forces

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1997/1998.

The objective of the Integration of SAR Imaging Technologies project was to integrate previously developed imaging techniques to detect embedded targets in an image. The techniques that were integrated included: acquisition and processing of satellite imagery; dye and pigment development for target enhancement; and artificial intelligence.

Research activities were conducted in three main areas: dye chemistry for target enhancement, including dying different materials as well as imaging of the final products with the Landsat filters of the Xybion multispectral camera; investigation of new image processing techniques, specifically fusion imagery from different sensors; and the development of an automated target detection algorithm which operates with a multispectral camera.

Future activities included participation in search exercises, the use of automated detection algorithms in other types of camera systems (i.e. the Wescam System), and the investigation of the use of Hyperspectral imagery for Search and Rescue to prepare for its appearance on the newer satellites.

This project has led to increased efficiency when locating lost aircraft/watercraft/victims.

Deliverables

- Integration of SAR Imaging Technologies - report

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1997/1998.

The objective of SARPAL was to develop an air-droppable, self-propelled marine vehicle (MV) capable of remote operation and control from an aircraft for use in marine search and rescue (SAR). The complete system consisted of a marine vehicle, a master remote console, and an auxiliary remote console.

During the project, two MV's were built. The first was used to evaluate its air-droppability and was dropped into the water using a crane to verify that the structure and mounting of the propulsion subsystem could withstand the shock loads of an airdrop. This model proved that it could withstand drops from 16 ft. high, demonstrating the ability for the major structural components to withstand the shock loading anticipated with aerial delivery. A second test proved successful when the MV demonstrated stability under the wind created by a helicopter. A second model was built to evaluate seaworthiness. During this evaluation the MV was tested in local and rough water trials up to sea state 5, had an endurance capacity of 38 hours at 4.75 knots in calm seas, and remote controllability from a marine vessel and from a Cessna aircraft using manual control and waypoint following (latitude and longitude coordinates).

The development of this autonomous rescue vehicle may have improved the way that people will be rescued at sea. The SARPAL may have eliminated the need for SAR Rescue personnel to enter frigid, rough waters and put their own lives at further risk.

Deliverables

- Final Report - International Submarine Engineering Ltd. (ISE)
- Drop tests and sea trials - video
- CD ROM

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

The objective of this project was to provide training to airplane operators and residents of the newly formed CASARA unit in Resolute Bay, NWT. During the project, a team of CASARA instructors visited Resolute Bay twice to train the NWT unit on proper SAR procedures (approximately 25 people were trained).

Within weeks of becoming operational, the NWT CASARA unit was responsible for saving the life of a snowmobiler. Following the report of an overdue snowmobiler, the RCMP and CASARA conducted a search. During the search a CASARA member spotted the victim and a ground team was soon dispatched to recover him. The victim survived after being overdue for 2 days.

The Resolute Bay CASARA unit put a training program in place to train new members and keep current members qualified. 

This project resulted in an increase in North of 60° SAR Resources and has made a CASARA unit capable of responding to SAR missions.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

The objective of the CASARA Air/Ground Communications project was to provide radio communications between CASARA aircraft and ground personnel to allow vital SAR (Search and Rescue) information to be relayed to the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), provincial authorities and other agencies involved in SAR missions and training exercises. 

The project objective was achieved by purchasing 57 radios and distributing them to CASARA units across Canada. The radios were continuously used during CASARA training exercises and on SAR missions and radio performance was continuously evaluated.

The radios greatly improved communications between CASARA aircraft and ground facilities. The radios allowed important information to be passed accurately and quickly, resulting in reduced rescue response time.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in fiscal year 1999/2000.

The objective of the project was to increase the MCC's speed of processing distress alert data by providing a new network server to unload administrative documents that were slowing down the processing of active international distress data.

The function of the MCC is to process distress alerts with locations received from distress beacons via the satellites and automatic ground receiving stations of the COSPAS-SARSAT international distress alerting and locating system. The MCC is responsible for: determining which passing satellites the receiving stations should track and receive data from; routing alert and location to the proper region MCC's; alerting the corresponding national authorities of beacons that have been detected; passing information of air and marine beacons transmitting within the Canadian area of responsibility to the correct Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC); and relaying information on the Personal Locator Beacon Canada to the region's police force.

Time is critical, and the speed at which the alert data can be passed from the time the beacon is activated to the time the correct search and rescue authorities are informed can make the difference between life and death of a victim seriously injured or immersed in cold water. The MCC Network Server resulted in data being processed 2-3 minutes faster per case, which should result in a large difference in the percentage of lives saved.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

The CASARA Handheld VHF/FM Radios project provided ground vehicles with the capability of communicating with CASARA aircraft while participating together on ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) cases. The project involved purchasing and distributing 145 handheld VHF/FM radios to units across the country.

The radios were used extensively during SAR events. One of these events involved an airplane carrying two people that crashed near Thunder Bay, Ontario. A search aircraft received an ELT but cloud cover was too thick to allow the crew to search effectively. As a result, CASARA organized ground crews, equipped with the new VHF/FM radios, who communicated with the Hercules above. After using the VHF/FM homing sets to locate the crash site, the victims were located. 

This project improved communications between CASARA aircraft and ground crews and contributed to saving lives shortly after being acquired.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiative Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

The objective of the project was to create a GEOLUT Research and Development facility and to provide a backup GEOLUT in the event that one of the operational GEOLUT's at the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Trenton, Ontario could not operate.

A GEOLUT is the automatic ground receiving facility for emergency beacon distress signals via satellites in Geostationary orbit. The GEOLUT's in Trenton, Ontario track two satellites carrying SAR Repeaters; GOES East and GEOS West.  These satellites are located 36,000 miles above the equator and monitor approximately one third of the earth at any given time.  This permits an almost immediate detection of emitting beacons.

Aside from having a backup GEOLUT, the new CTEC GEOLUT could be used for interferer signal fingerprinting and in LEO (Low-Earth-Orbit)/GEO processing research.

At the time of this report, the facility was operational and functioning well at the Uplands airport in Ottawa.

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This project was sponsored by the Department of National Defence and received initial funding through the New SAR Initiatives Fund (NIF) in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

The objective of this project was to increase public awareness of the capabilities of the SARSAT system by acquiring a SARSAT Transportable display. The display consisted of one 8' x 10' mural and two TV/VCR units to simultaneously show a SARSAT video in English and French.

The SARSAT Transportable display helped increase the number of 406 MHz beacon users while reducing the number of 121 MHz beacon subscribers, resulting in a reduction of SAR costs by reducing the number of false alerts.

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