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Annual Report 2004-2005 - IMPACT Making a Difference
Evolution of Defence R&D; Canada
Defence R&D; Canada (DRDC) is Canada’s leader in science and technology for national defence and public security. DRDC is responsible for conducting research, development and analysis to ensure that the Canadian Forces are technologically prepared and operationally relevant, possessing the knowledge, equipment and technology they need to carry out their mission both at home and abroad.
DRDC operates six research centres across Canada, each with a unique combination of expertise and facilities to carry out world-class research and development (R&D;). With a broad scientific program, DRDC actively collaborates with industry, international allies, academia, other government departments and the national security community. (See Table 1 at the end of this report for more information about our centres.)
In early 2005, DRDC celebrated its fifth anniversary as a special operating agency within the Department of National Defence. Canadian defence research can be traced back to World War I, when Canadian scientists provided support to the Allied powers. By the end of World War II, Canada had a strong competence in defence research and development.
In 1947, the Defence Research Board (DRB) was established by an amendment to the National Defence Act. The DRB provided scientific advice to the Minister of National Defence, met the research requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces, and contributed to the collective defence research efforts of Canada’s allies. It also supported research of defence interest in Canadian universities and industries. These functions were incorporated into a single departmental program following the integration of the service branches of the Canadian Forces in the 1960s.
Under the control of the Chief of Research and Development, the Research and Development Branch was formed in 1974, with the responsibility for the overall conduct of the R&D; program in the Department.
DRDC was created as a special operating agency within the Department of National Defence in 2000. Agency status has provided new flexibilities that serve us well in continuing to provide scientific excellence to meet the needs of the Canadian Forces and make R&D; contributions to the growth of Canada’s economy.
Our Mission
DRDC’s mission is to ensure that the Canadian Forces are technologically prepared and operationally relevant by:
- Providing expert science and technology advice to the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence;
- Conducting research, development and analysis to contribute to new and improved defence capabilities;
- Anticipating and advising on future science and technology trends, threats and opportunities;
- Engaging industrial, academic and international partners in the generation and commercialization of technology; and
- Providing science and technology for external customers to enhance defence science and technology capacity.
Our Vision
DRDC’s vision is to be known worldwide as the best in science and technology for defence and security.
Our Values
DRDC’s values define how we accomplish our mission and maintain excellence in science:
- Commitment: We demonstrate dedication and pride in working towards our vision.
- Client Focus: We bring excellence to clients, both internal and external, by focussing efforts on discovering and meeting their needs.
- Creativity and Innovation: We generate innovative solutions, approaches, products and services that improve the status quo.
- Leadership: We actively and enthusiastically seek to exert influence and originate action to achieve our goals.
- Professionalism and Integrity: We focus our effort on achieving quality results, and we behave in an honest, ethical manner, dealing with others respectfully and fairly.
- Trust and Respect: We are open, honest and responsible in our relationships and we recognize and value the contributions of others.
- Teamwork: We demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, and work cooperatively and productively within and across DRDC to achieve common goals.
The Structure of the Report
This Annual Report presents a number of our recent accomplishments which support the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence, and features some of our activities that enable the realization of that goal.
- The chapter entitled "Contributing to National Defence and Security" highlights our contributions to defence capabilities and our support to the public security needs of Canada and our allies.
- The next chapter, "Making the Best Use of Our Resources," describes the augmentation of our scientific and technological capacity through international and national collaboration and through the work we do for external clients.
- The following chapter, "Promoting Operational Excellence," shows that we are an organization that promotes excellence, that engages our customers, and that partners with the world’s best organizations.
- The last chapter, "People and Infrastructure," focusses on enhancing the productivity and innovative spirit of our people and on renewing our infrastructure.
- This report concludes with our "Financial Statement," in which we present our revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2004–2005, and the "Tables," which provide additional information about our centres and our program.
