Defence R&D; Canada – Valcartier

Contact information and a complete list of DRDC Valcartier facilities can be found on the Defence R&D; Canada – Valcartier Web Site.

Open Jet Facility

The Open Jet Facility is an open-air wind tunnel that provides a high-velocity stream of air at atmospheric pressure, with a cross-section large enough to accommodate tests on full-scale aerodynamic models or on actual aircraft stores. The facility consists of a high-pressure air reservoir equipped with a large-diameter variable butterfly exit valve, a multi-screen settling chamber to smooth the air flow, and an interchangeable circular nozzle to the open air.

Detonics Laboratory

DRDC Valcartier's highly specialized Detonics Laboratory is equipped and staffed to study a wide range of phenomena associated with assessing the performance, sensitivity and hazards of explosive materials and devices. Standard "gap" or "wedge" sensitivity-to-detonation tests are performed, but they may be supplemented by rigorous tests of sensitivity in conditions appropriate to specific warheads or operational scenarios.

Aeroballistic Range

This extensively instrumented, indoor, free-flight range is the only one of its kind in Canada. Available launching guns can fire fin- and spin-stabilized models ranging from 5.56 mm to 155 mm in diameter at velocities up to Mach 7. The air flow around projectiles in free flight may be photographed and in-flight position may be determined to permit the measurement of aerodynamic characteristics and stability derivatives.

Trisonic Wind Tunnel

The aerodynamic parameters of static models can be measured in the Trisonic Wind Tunnel through subsonic, transonic and supersonic speeds, from Mach 0.2 to Mach 4.0. Models can be supported either downstream, to investigate their forebody aerodynamic properties, or upstream, to permit the measurement of pressures and forces on projectile bases and afterbodies.

Experimental Complex for Energetic Materials

A significant heritage of DRDC Valcartier's tradition of expertise in energetic materials is its sophisticated experimental complex: a collection of laboratories and reinforced buildings, dispersed for safety, that are both equipped and staffed to deal with explosive materials of all kinds, in quantities sufficient for meaningful study. Facilities exist for the formulation, processing and characterization of explosives and of gun and rocket propellants.

Mobile Command and Control, Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Laboratory

This autonomous, secure and mobile laboratory consists of a 16-metre long trailer specially fitted to accommodate the experimentation, improvement and validation of command and control systems and architectures, whether they were developed at the Centre or are presently in use by the Canadian Forces. This mobile laboratory is equipped with the most innovative technologies in the field of Command and Control Information Systems.