National Defence will be running drone detection tests in Centretown next week

An Ottawa police drone. (François D'Aoust/Ottawa Police Servicet)

Small remote-operated aircrafts may be visible in downtown Ottawa next week, as the Department of National Defence will be running a drone detection test operation near Parliament Hill.

According to a news release from National Defence, the trial is being conducted from Nov. 24 to Nov. 28 as part of the department’s Defence Excellence and Security program to test its urban drone detection capabilities in a “controlled, scientific environment.”

“The week-long event will bring together defence science experts and innovators, Canadian Armed Forces personnel, police, and other defence and security allies to evaluate how well detection technologies perform in a complex urban environment,” the release reads.

The department will be running the exercise around Kent Street, Queen Street, Sparks Street and Wellington Street. Tests will be conducted at ground-level, and on mid-level and high-level balconies and rooftops.

All drones being tested are authorized to operate in the city and in the presence of people, and National Defence says they will be taking a “detect-only approach,” meaning drones will not be destroyed during the tests.

Tests will be run during the day and on one weeknight. While drones may be visible in the Centretown area, the department says the operation will be closed to the public and the public will not be affected by the tests.

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