How Canada's Digital Navy is Transforming Maritime Operations with Cloud Computing, AI, AR, and Automation

Canada has a long and proud history of naval service and innovation. From the Battle of the Atlantic to the Arctic patrols, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has always been at the forefront of protecting Canada's sovereignty and interests at sea.

But the world is changing rapidly, and so are the challenges and opportunities for maritime operations. The RCN needs to adapt to the evolving geopolitical environment, where new threats and competitors are emerging, and where technology is transforming every aspect of naval warfare.

That's why the RCN launched the Digital Navy initiative in 2019, with the vision of becoming a "modern, agile, and integrated naval force that leverages digital technologies to enhance its readiness, effectiveness, and sustainability". ?The plan remains extant – though technology has advanced significantly in subsequent years. Perhaps now the RCN is ready to lead forward in terms of capability uplift.

The Digital Navy initiative aims to harness the power of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and automation to enable faster decision-making, better situational awareness, improved collaboration, and optimized resource management.

The Digital Navy initiative is leveraging these technologies to transform maritime operations and deliver better outcomes for Canadians. RCN plans highlight some of the benefits and challenges of adopting these technologies in a naval context.

Cloud Computing: Enabling Scalability, Flexibility, and Innovation

Cloud computing is the delivery of IT services over the Internet from a shared pool of resources that are logically separated from one another. Cloud computing offers scalability, flexibility, and innovation for organizations that need to access and process large amounts of data quickly and securely.

The RCN will leverage cloud computing to support its digital transformation in several ways. For example:

1.??????The RCN is migrating its legacy applications and data to enterprise data centres (EDC) or public cloud services, depending on the security and performance requirements. This will reduce technical debt, improve efficiency, and enable faster deployment of new capabilities.

2.??????The RCN is developing new applications using cloud-native technologies and methodologies, such as microservices, containers, DevOps, and agile. This will increase agility, resilience, and interoperability of its IT systems.

3.??????The RCN is leveraging cloud-based platforms and tools to enable data analytics, AI, AR, and automation. This will enhance its ability to generate insights, predictions, and recommendations from its data.

AI: Enhancing Decision-Making, Situational Awareness, and Learning

AI is the ability of machines or systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence or judgment. AI can augment human capabilities by providing analysis, advice, or automation for complex or repetitive tasks.

The RCN is using AI to enhance its decision-making, situational awareness, and learning in several ways. For example:

1.??????The RCN is exploring how AI can help with autonomous navigation for ships and unmanned vehicles. For instance, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship is a fully self-operating ship that uses digital technology to make decisions based on sensory inputs, real-time machine learning, and automated rules.

2.??????The RCN is experimenting with how AI can help with threat detection, identification, and response for maritime security. For instance, the RCN is collaborating with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) on Project Grey Jay, which uses AI to analyze data from multiple sources and provide situational awareness for maritime domain awareness.

3.??????The RCN is investing in how AI can help with training and education for naval personnel. For instance, the RCN is developing an AI-powered learning platform that will provide personalized, adaptive, and engaging learning experiences for sailors.

AR: Improving Collaboration, Visualization, and Training

AR is the technology that overlays digital information or objects onto the physical world through a device such as a smartphone or a headset. AR can improve collaboration, visualization, and training by providing immersive, interactive, and contextual experiences.

The RCN is using AR to improve its collaboration, visualization, and training in several ways. For example:

1.??????The RCN is using AR to enhance its communication and coordination among its ships,

2.??????aircraft, and shore facilities. For instance, the RCN is testing an AR headset that will allow sailors to see real-time information from sensors, cameras,?and maps on their field of view.

3.??????The RCN is using AR to improve its maintenance and repair of its equipment and systems.

The RCN set the pace for digital transformation of the Canadian Armed Forces with this bold plan. It clearly articulates the requirements to transform the Navy in order to achieve competitive advantage in these increasingly difficult times. With Canada’s strategic interests in the North Atlantic – and more pressingly the Indo-Pacific – there will be a real need to help the RCN accelerate its plan to become a Digital Navy.