A view from above: Space and the Canadian Armed Forces
| Author | Alex Wilner,Kevin Budning,Guillaume Cote |
| DOI | 10.1177/00207020211067944 |
| Published date | 01 December 2021 |
| Date | 01 December 2021 |
| Subject Matter | Policy Brief |
Policy Brief
International Journal
2021, Vol. 76(4) 594–605
© The Author(s) 2022
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/00207020211067944
journals.sagepub.com/home/ijx
A view from above: Space and
the Canadian Armed Forces
Kevin Budning
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Alex Wilner
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Guillaume Cote
Collins Aerospace, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Abstract
A connected battlespace aims to enable seamless, real-time connectivity between various
military assets across all domains of contemporary warfare. Such a program, however, cannot be
accomplished without the use of space-based assets that are designed to store and transmit data;
enable communications, surveillance, and imagery; and bolster interoperability between different
military forces and services. Given recent technological advancements, coupled with interna-
tional interest and the diminishing cost of launching satellites into low Earth orbit, this article
explores the opportunities and drawbacks associated with the Canadian Armed Forces’em-
brace of novel space-based technologies. Following dozens of consultations and a stakeholder
workshop held with academic, industry and policy experts, we argue that developing, procuring,
and exploiting these capabilities is essential for Canada’s future force development, augmenting
situational awareness in a pan-domain environment, and retaining a degree of sovereignty in an
era marked by disruptive technologies, strategic uncertainty and great power competition.
Keywords
Connected battlespace, emerging technology, space-based assets, Canadian Armed
Forces, defence policy, Joint All Domain Command and Control, low Earth orbit
satellites, North American Aerospace Defense Command Modernization
Corresponding author:
Kevin Budning, Norman Paterson School of Interna tional Affairs, C arleton Univer sity, 1125 Colone lB y
Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
Email: kevin.budning@carleton.ca
To continue reading
Request your trial