Challenge: Full spectrum communications in the Arctic

Challenge Statement

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) require a reliable, trusted and affordable communications solution to provide both support and command and control to forces engaged in domestic and continental defence, security and safety missions in the Northern regions including the Arctic

Background and Context

The Arctic region is beyond the range of geostationary satellites, and conventional high frequency (HF) beyond-line-of-sight communication is unreliable due to ionospheric conditions. As a result, DND/CAF lacks the connectivity required among forward operating locations, including Canadian and Allied land, sea or air units and platforms, across the Arctic region, including the approaches to North America. An Arctic-wide, robust and secure communications architecture (voice, datalink, full motion video) is needed North of approximately 65 degrees latitude to conduct command and control of the full spectrum of forces, which includes intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, and air intercept operations.

Desired Outcomes and Considerations

Research, analysis, concepts and technologies are sought that address, but are not limited to, one or more of the following characteristics associated with the need for robust, reliable and resilient communications connectivity solutions (voice, image and video) in the Arctic region:

• Assured communications beyond geostationary satellite range, where conventional HF communication technology does not support sufficient bandwidth or reliability, commercial communication infrastructure is limited or non-existent, and the weather conditions are harsh;
• On-demand connectivity to support secure voice, data and video applications;
• Automated link set-up and control to enable unmonitored operation;
• Multiple simultaneous links providing reliable beyond-line-of-sight communications between mobile or fixed platforms within the Arctic region and Southern Canada;
• Secure communication exchange between forward operating locations and DND/CAF, NORAD, and Government of Canada networks in Southern Canada;
• Capable of secure operation at all times of day in the full range of environmental and weather conditions experienced in the high Arctic;
• Resistant to interference and exploitation from hostile forces; and
• Alternate power sources to operate for extended periods in remote locations and in extended darkness.