Defence, Innovation and Duct Tape

Innovation Agendas in Application

Barbarie PalmerSr Dir – Business Developmentbarbariepalmer@Bluedrop.com902-454-1694

My Bias

Barbarie’sPosits:

Innovation agendas need to recognize our nature

Are we trying to make a hammer out of duct tape?

True innovation shouldn’t be limited to standard application

Are we constraining solutions based on what we know?

A long history of innovation in Canada

Innovation is often triggered by requirement vice desire to ‘reach’….like duct tape

Technology Readiness Levels

• Level 1: Basic principles of concept are observed and reported

• Level 2: Technology concept and/or application formulated

• Level 3: Analytical and experimental critical function and/or proof of concept

• Level 4: Component and/or validation in a laboratory environment

• Level 5: Component and/or validation in a simulated environment

• Level 6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a simulated environment

• Level 7: Prototype ready for demonstration in an appropriate operational environment

• Level 8: Actual technology completed and qualified through tests and demonstrations

• Level 9: Actual technology proven through successful deployment in an operational setting

Innovation Agendas

• Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)

• Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP)

• Strategic Innovation Fun (SIF)

• Superclusters

• Plus 100+ other pograms

BCIP Examples - Bluedrop

Is the innovation agenda maximizing benefit to

DND? Industry?

Good stuff

• Soldier input into design

• Agility of small business

• Technology into defence faster

• Inform requirements for future programs

• Develop Canadian industrial capability

• DND/industry partnering

Duct tape required?

• DND resourcing

• Implementation of alternate procurement methods

• ISS

• Funding Access, colour of money and timelines

• Statement of Capability Deficiencies

• Security and Infrastructure

Duct Tape

Recommendations

Innovation resourcing in DND including POC

Education and information

Greater integration between industry and military

Mechanism to allow innovation to address gaps in capability

Timelines need to consider DND funding mechanisms

Where are we focussing innovation?

Some Possible Steps

Focus on ‘effect’ not

method

Open standards – some good work being done across

nations

Little problems often have big

results

How (and when) does technology

confer benefit?

Questions?