NORTH VECTOR DYNAMICS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY ADVANCE CANADIAN HYPERSONIC CAPABILITY THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE AWARD
From left: Dr. Artem Korobenko, Schulich Research Chair and Associate Head for Research, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary; the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence; and Dr. Craig Johansen, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, North Vector Dynamics (NVD), holding NVD's CM-70 counter-drone interceptor missile.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Calgary, Alberta, October 4, 2026 - A University of Calgary-led project, supported by industry leadership from North Vector Dynamics, recently received C$1 million through the Department of National Defence’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program (IDEaS) to develop and validate simulation and design methods for hypersonic vehicles.
The project was selected under the IDEaS Innovation Networks challenge, “Speed Meets Strategy: Building Canada’s Hypersonic Innovation Network”. It will be led by Dr. Artem Korobenko, Professor and Associate Head (Research) in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, in collaboration with co-Principal Investigator Dr. Schuyler Hinman and industry partners that include NVD, Martec Limited, NordSpace, and Randing Research Corporation. NVD’s technical contribution will be led by Dr. Craig Johansen, the company's Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, whose Advanced Systems work extends NVD’s defence technology foundation into hypersonic propulsion, flight environments, vehicle integration, and interception.
This partnership reflects NVD’s foundational connection to the University of Calgary. The company’s roots are in the Schulich School of Engineering, including co-founders Dr. Craig Johansen, Dr. Paul Ziade, and Dr. Colin Hill. Many of NVD’s engineers and technicians have also studied, trained, researched, or worked through the University’s ecosystem.
The IDEaS challenge focuses on leveraging ongoing research and industrial investment in hypersonic technologies to enhance Canadian defence and security capabilities. It identifies three domains where innovation is required: modelling and simulation, ground and flight testing, and vehicle design and integration. Its outcomes align with immediate priorities in Canada’s NORAD Modernization Plan by developing expertise and advancing the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces’ understanding of hypersonic technologies.
Hypersonic systems are changing the operating environment due to their speed, manoeuvrability, thermal loads, and flight profiles compress detection, decision, and interception timelines. Understanding, modelling, and countering these systems requires advanced multidisciplinary expertise.
As a core industry partner, NVD brings applied engineering perspective and a pathway for translating research outputs into Canadian-controlled intellectual property, partnerable Industrial and Technological Benefits investments, and supply-chain capacity.
“NVD is building Canada’s first full-spectrum sovereign missile capability, from counter-UAS solutions to hypersonics,” said Dr. Johansen. “This project connects UCalgary’s research strength with NVD’s applied defence engineering capability and will help build Canadian-controlled intellectual property and industrial capacity in technologies that matter to Canada’s future air and missile defence.”
“Hypersonic systems create new demands for Canadian research, talent, and industrial capacity,” said Dr. Korobenko. “As these technologies reshape the future defence environment, Canada needs domestic expertise that can support sovereign capability, strengthen national resilience, and contribute to the scientific foundation required for future air and missile defence.”
The award reinforces Calgary and Alberta’s role in Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem and strengthens the bridge between Canadian research, Canadian industry, and Canadian-controlled defence intellectual property.
About North Vector Dynamics
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, North Vector Dynamics is a Canadian-owned and controlled defence technology company specializing in precision interception, autonomy, and advanced propulsion. NVD is building Canada’s first full-spectrum sovereign missile capability – from counter-UAS solutions to hypersonics – designed to serve and defend Canada and its allies and partners.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is one of Canada’s leading research universities and a recognized leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration. Based in Calgary, Alberta, UCalgary conducts internationally recognized research across areas including aerospace and space technologies, quantum science, energy, health, and water sustainability. Through strong partnerships with industry and government, the university translates research and innovation into technologies and solutions that create economic and societal impact.
About IDEaS
Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) is an innovation program which invests in research and technology aimed at meeting the demands of today's complex global defence and security environment. Since launching in April 2018, IDEaS has been working with Canadian innovators to turn innovative thinking into tangible solutions for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
– 30 –
Media Inquiries
Phone: +1 (587) 329-7138
