The National Research Council of Canada has met with leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security and Navy to discuss model testing and evaluation efforts under a U.S. heavy polar icebreaker acquisition program.
NRC said Wednesday it works to characterize the environment of ice conditions with the use of physical modeling techniques as part of the initial phase of the project.
The council also evaluates the models’ maneuverability and icebreaking resistance to help expand the team’s operational knowledge and establish baseline requirements for the future U.S. heavy polar icebreakers.
Rear Adm. Michael Haycock, assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer at the U.S. Coast Guard, said that data gathered from the model testing efforts at the NRC will support the development of the heavy polar icebreaker system as well as help mitigate potential risks to the program.
Defense Research and Development Canada’s center for security science and DHS’ science and technology directorate co-manage the U.S.-Canada partnership that was established via the Critical Infrastructure Protection and Border Security Agreement.
