Canadian Security Materials Technology Roadmap Steering Committee

Canadian Security Materials Technology Roadmap Steering Committee

Companies operating in Canada in the value chain for armoured vehicles and/or personal protective equipment (from advanced materials suppliers to OEMs) are invited to submit the candidacy of a member of their leadership team to become a member of the Canadian Security Materials Technology Roadmap Steering Committee.

About the security materials industry in Canada

Canada’s armoured vehicle (AV) and personal protective equipment (PPE) industry is globally competitive. This industry is based upon conventional engineered materials such as Kevlar, polymer matrix composite laminates and monolithic ceramics, which are rapidly approaching their performance limits. 

While there are continuing advances in constitutive material properties such as fibres and monolithic ceramics, these advances are occurring at a relatively slow rate compared to the rapidly evolving demands for higher performance and lower weight protection systems. 

New transformational technologies required 

New transformational technologies are required to continue to improve armour mass-efficiency (protection for a given weight) and to address capability deficiencies identified by the user communities (first responders, law enforcement, and military).

Canadian Security Materials Technology Roadmap (SMTRM)

The National Research Council (NRC) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) are working together to advance state-of-the-art armour technology solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and other user communities, such as first responders. 

The aim is to strengthen this defence and security sector in Canada by developing and integrating advanced new materials and structures to improve the performance of AV and PPE, including increased ballistic protection.  

Development and implementation of a Canadian Security Materials Technology Roadmap (SMTRM) that will engage stakeholders to define and implement R&D projects aligned with science and technology investment priorities is critical to the realization of this objective.

The technology roadmap process is not an acquisition process and is not in direct support of any government procurement. The assurance of open, fair and transparent procurement processes is imperative for both government and industry. Committee members will be required to abide to the SMTRM Steering Committee terms of reference and ethics code.

SMTRM Steering Committee
The Steering Committee will provide guidance to the SMTRM. Its primary responsibility will be to provide industry leadership to the roadmap including: 

•	Providing input into the direction and goals of the SMTRM
•	Vetting the proposed work plan, objectives and timeline
•	Actively participating in each stage of the roadmap development process and contributing to technical discussions
•	Striving for consensus in its recommendations, using the best available evidence, as well as best practices
•	Recommending appropriate implementation strategies, including leveraging from other initiatives or involvement from other stakeholders
•	Reviewing and validating documentation produced throughout the process such as workshop reports
•	Fostering effective, open, transparent and fair discussions
•	Encouraging interchange of information between TRM participants
•	Acting as a champion of the SMTRM among respective employing organizations and across the industry as a whole

Members of the Steering Committee will also be asked to provide an industry perspective and guidance on the direction of the NRC Security Materials Technology Program.

The SMTRM Steering Committee will be jointly chaired by representatives from industry and the National Research Council Canada.  

Phase 1 of the SMTRM will deliver a high-level roadmap for Canadian industry. The SMTRM Steering Committee then has the option to instigate Phase 2 to deep dive into specific technology domains identified during Phase 1. This may involve formation of technical sub-committees that will report back to the SMTRM Steering Committee.

Membership on the SMTRM Steering Committee is open to leaders within any company operating in Canada in the value chain for armoured vehicles and/or personal protective equipment for ballistic protection, from advanced materials suppliers to OEMs.