My Experience at CANSEC + Lots of Photos

May 31, 2025

There are certain lengths that ive always said I wouldn't go with all of this.

That is primarily to keep my sanity but also because I dont want this stuff taking up more time than value allows. I pride myself for being able to do this at the level I do without having it consume me to much.

As many of you know my first day of CANSEC never happened. Despite the intervention of two companies and many people it just wasnt meant to be. CADSI was not budging on my ability to show.

I was prepared to skip the second day entirely after that experience. Yet I was convinced by several people to try again, and try I did. Now armed with a proper plan and people to support me there I was able to finally get into CANSEC.

This isnt meant to be some call to arms again CADSI. I want to give them the benefit here that I am both new and they have been dealing with many bad actors trying to disrupt the event.

What I wont condone is a lack of communication, burdensome requirements and downright silly systems in place that only create annoyance over actual tangible benefit.

If you are going to demand so many steps, so detailed a process where government workers are being turned away? Perhaps you should ask if the strictness actually benefits anyone.

If you want to make defence more open, more inclusive and open pathways for smaller people, then creating an expensive, overly complicated process to even get to the door is working against that.

Despite having an invite from a major company, with an interview lined up, a guest pass filed and multiple people fighting on my behalf I was still denied multiple times, something that unfortunately cost that opportunity.

Its a silly system when four deperate denials are given, and rules seemingly change by the moment, with people being unable to assist for hours at a time.

I digress though. You arent here for that. You're hear to hear about CANSEC. I was very fortunate to have the people I did help me. To all of you who worked tirelessly to get me in I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all went above and beyond what I would ask of you and I am eternally grateful for that.

Many people spent the last two weeks trying to get me in, with many prepared to go as far as to raise the issue directly. I had multiple people ready to stand by and defend me and to that I am forever in your debt.

I had an amazing time, got to see several friends, met many new people and got to learn many things I hope ill be able to share with you all soon. Dont worry, I have stuff to show now! Yet some things need to wait for the right moment.

It was strange to go. I couldnt help but feel out of place, despite my apparent fame around. Thats what truely surprised me. A lot more people know me that I expected, from Raytheon to Genral Dynamics. I was a known figure with people who knew who I was the moment they read my name.

Ive obviously never considered myself a person of importance nor of high standards so to hear people treat me as some sort of expert, to take the time to personally talk and show me things was wuite the out of body experience.

Not everyone did, mind you. I was definetly fighting for space and attention at the show but was fortunate enough, at least for a good chunk, to have friends in higher places who did the talking for me, and asked the questions I wanted answered so I could stay out of it amd reap the benefits.

Some people put on an amazing show. I got to not only hold a Carl Gustav but also got the chance to play around with an RBS70 at the Saab booth. Those guys know how to put on a show!

On the ither hand there were some like Airbus whom I found barren and highly lacking, especially with NTACS upcoming in the pipeline. They could have done so much more.

There were very few I was dissapointed by. Almost everyone was bringing their A-game to this show, which made it quite exciting for me as a first-timer. I couldnt have asked much more.

On that note Ottawa was a fun experience. I havent been in years and so this was my first time going as an independent adult. I will say that the transit system is a mess. I wouldn't wamt to rode it all the time!

I know many of you though are here for the goods, so let me not waste anymore time. Let's see the photos!

The Roshel Captain and Senator CUAS both made their debuts at this show. While many vehicles are smaller than you would imagine, the Captain is surprisingly smaller than one would expect. As for the CUAS its gorgeous. A beautiful black that radiates with energy. I should note that the model shown is only a base offering and can be customized by the customer to fit demands. Thay includes kinetic effectors

A normal SENRAP? Think again! This version of the Senator is actually not a Ford but based on a RAM 5500! This Tariff-free option carries the same size and capabilities of the Ford-based SENRAPs without making sacrifices on the new chassis. This also gives potential buyers a new option if desired. I expect to see more.

Now we get to the big one where I admit I was wrong. All this time I expected Roshel to offer the BvS10 for DAME amd instead itd the ExtremV from ST Engineerring, part of thr Bronco family. This is one where I will take the loss happily. I love the Bronco too. This model is likely to not be the final product as Roshel plans to Canadize and put their own touches on the vehicle to better fit our demands but it does show what the final product will roughly look like. If you want to hear where I went wrong I have a thread on twitter.

For you guys who love some CMAR here she is in all her glory! At least its the concept of it... This is the CMAR prototype Colt was showing off this year and I will say that I held it and it felt great. Very light, about seven pounds. No word on thr Optics but I was very content to have it in my hands.

Some photos from the Lockheed booth. I missed a few things like the PRSM, Blackhawk, and LRASM but I got the rest! Beautiful models of the CF35 and TA50 proposal. I still dont know exactly what Lockheed does on the TA50 and I couldnt get an answer lol. They did have a TA50 flight simulator though! That was cool.

DEW had a lot this year, including their own ExtremV, an early model Vigilance, and a MSHORAD integrated Cambli Blackwolf. This isnt the model we are getting for Latvia but will likely be ehat they offer for next year's GBAD UOR. Anyone who follows me knows I love the MSHORAD concept!

Seasoan had models of Arpatuuq, Protecteur, and the future MPV on display this year. All three were fsirly well detailed and, for me, really helps in the scaling department when I try to talk about them. The Arpatuuq model is gorgeous!

Let's talk about the big one from Vard. We have a new Vigilance family. The original Vigilance is now known as Vigilance 75 while a newer, larger Vigilance 100 has been unveiled. This newer model is a larger, proper Corvette that I have been encouraging (to put it lightly) them to put out and she is beefy. She isnt the first Corvette to rock 16 MK.411cells but its still always wild to see. She's armed to the teeth for her size but still managed to find room for Vards container fetish, this time with a midship container area. She also has aft room for several as well. She uses the same Thales sensor suite as the Flight II 75 and the same supply network, meaning that both Vigilances share a common supply chain and equipment. This is a proper Continental Defence Destroyer. I'll give them credit where it is due, while the container section is funky I would never be mad at this, or a mix if it means the 75 can be a true Kingston replacement.

Hanwha had a much smaller selection on display this year but what they did show was great! We got both the Wheeled (in this case a Tatra) and tracked K9s as well as Chunmoo. Sadly no MPLS model on display for that very needed single-pod system, though they might be cutting their losses there. I also got lots of brochures!

Thr KSS-III. I know a lot of you wanted to see this one, and the model is truely amazing to see in person. Hanwha was extremely friendly to me and we're more than happy to entertain a lengthy conversation answering some of my questions. They were prepared to answer even my more obscure ones! Really amazing experience overall. Hanwha is promising to deliver all twelve subs before 2042, and are also prepared to deliver Hyunmoo to the RCN. These were two big questions I know many people had. They were also happy enough to talk about the sensors, setting up a proper ISS center, and about their plans in Canada. Overall Hanwha was undoubtedly the friendliest and most active people I talked with.

A very large shipyard model was also present at Hanwha’s booth. A very interesting look at what a hypothetical ISS center might look like.

Logistik had a very similar booth to last year, with a few changes to represent the ongoing demands of SOCEM. They brought back the Exoskeleton, as well as all the new DICE stuff for those of you curious.

Marshall showing off one of their proposed container modules. Marshall will be providing the new container modules for the Zetros fleet.

Magellan actually advertised SeaSpider! Theyre usually so quiet about it despite how cool it is.

Ultra Maritime brought their ASW mission pod to CANSEC. This is their proposal to fill the RCNs COBRA requirements. The entire module fits into a 20-ft TEU allowing for it to be easily rolled on to existing platforms with little issue. This includes something like the Dewolfe-class.

Kongsberg had a few things on display, along with an interactive screen to show off NASAMS. They were very open to talking about GBAD, including their annoyance at the heavy CRAM requirement. A common theme during this whole show was the sense that CAF isnt adapting projects to growing threats, especially those several years into the pepcurement process. Of course this isnt because of a lack of want but industry definetly feels like there are some things chasing the past.

Airbus was probably one of my big dissapointments. As you can see there wasnt to much there and the people weren't to keen to talk to me. I went by twice and got a bit of a cold shoulder both times. That might be on me but it definetly didnt help. The models were cute though

The Type-212CD! TKMS had a very small booth but they were friendly enough to talk. Theyre also promising an ISS center, technology transfer, and a dedicated training plan that works together with Germany and Norway. They very much want this to be seen as NATOs submarine and overall I was happy coming out of this. Canada would get the first sub by 2032 and maintain a similar schedule to Hanwha of a ~1/YR. This is accomplished by the new shipyard in Kiel, which will accommodate up to half a dozen subs at various stages of construction

GM brought the whole family to CANSEC this year and I was privileged enough to get a look inside! GM this year focused on their LUV concept and the ISV. Both the light and heavy variant of the ISV was here, along with an integrated 120mm mortar from ST Engineering. The LUV was what you expected. It is a Green Silverado with some minor modifications. The ISV-Heavy is pretty cool to see in person. They were very happy to talk about how versatile the family is, and how many tasks they plan for them in the future. Ive included the info displays for the ISV as well.

Bombardier was all spread out this year between various booths but their own display did have a nice model of HADES! They're very much trying to sell the Global as a do-it-all platform, able to easily fill a bunch of secondary support roles. They believe there is room for more Globals in the RCAF is various roles, including the potential for HADES.

OPS-CORE isnt a company you tend to think of but I loved their display so wanted to give them a shout! They also had a robotic dog that sadly I didnt snap a photo of. I can appreciate that.

Bell only had Valor on display this year. I did take the time to photograph as much of the info on it as possible for those of you that are curious. Sadly no one was around that I saw to talk. Valor is obviously one of those platforms that a certain group are pushing heavily for. One could argue an entire caatgory of NTACS was designed around them. Now that NTACS is back to the drawing board though? I dont know...

L3 Harris was out in force this year. Of course, you know that the CAEW was what I was hyperfocused on. This isn't too dissimilar to the Korean concept with the same IAI EL/W-2085 radar on the Global 6500. I can confirm that they're AAR-capable as well, which is a major requirement that the air force wants to see for AEW.

IMT Precision are fully ready to support Canadas domestic munitions capabilities, including with new munitions being procured under IFM!

General Dynamics was one of the booths I was most excited to see. This was my first time seeing the new LAVs in person and I cant emphasize just how big they are in person. I felt so tiny next to them! We also got an updated look at the future LAV family, including both the upcoming ACSV variants and some new concepts. The SHORLAV concept uses an identical RiWP Moog system to Sgt. Stout. They also had a LX300 on display, which they refer to as Envoy now.

GD also had a new LAV 6 proposal this year. Inhave decided to call him Greg. Sadly no BLAV, but thats okay. This is very similar to BLAV though, 30mm main gun, integrated UAS and ATGM/Loitering Munition capability. There is currently an unfunded lethality upgrade for the LAV 6 so maybe one day we will see this come to fruition. We also got a little display for GDLS-C proposal for IFM, a 10x10 LAV very similar to what the Swiss have chosen. They also had a 10x10 ammunition vehicle shown off but sadly no model.

Irving had both the Dwolfe and River-class models on display this year. Sadly they were busy each time I came by so I couldnt talk to anyone. The River model is a bit outdated, and thr Cyclone is funky. Maybe one day someone will spend the 50,000 on a modern model!0

Saab! My favourite booth at the show. Everyone was super energetic and talkative, which I love! I also got a chance to hold the new M4 Carl G and use the RBS70 simulator. Both of which were awesome! Also on display was the Giraffe-1X, a containerized version of GLSDB, Globaleye and the A26. They were very open to walking me through and explaining everything. Its weird to see Giraffe especially. You dont realize the size till you see it!

Navantia wasn't really talkative but I did stay to watch the video of the F110. They also had an S80+ that came in probably the slickest black coating ive seen yet.

BAE was semi-restrictive on what I could take pictures of but I did snap these shots of Archer and Tridon MK.2. Also had a wonderful conversation on Archers capabilities with some friends.

Davies had another model filled both this year, including GLAAM! As a self-declared expert and someone who will happily take responsibility for making it mainstream, it was great to see it in person. You don't realize how long it is until you get a good walk around. Davies had all the info on little cards, which was cool but I wish they had more detailed brochures. That's one area Vard stepped up in. We also got our look at the Polar Max, Program icebreakers, and a new vessel called the Multi-Purpose Polar Support Ship. A PC3 icebreaker based on an existing Helsinki design. This icebreaker was specifically designed to fulfill USCG requirements for the Arctic Sceuruty Cutter. Ive included pictures of the cards below this! Its a really interesting vessel.

More Davies, including the provided cards

Calian brought over a Hammerhead USV to CANSEC. Really cool to see them in person. Also got to hear about the process of constructing one, which was super cool!

Thales had a lot on display this year, including a lot of interactive stuff. Really great to see their GBAD offerings!

The people at Teledyne were extremely friendly and let me play around with holding the Black Hornet! Really shame we couldnt bring one outside and fly it around. It seems really fun.

ELBIT was kind enough to bring a PULS and pod models to CANSEC. This gave a really fun perspective to all three of the major western rocket systems. Sadly no material for me!

A collection of singular images I took, including Blackwolf, a cool crystal system Boeing had out, V-Bat and Polaris!

Almost all the RCN ISTAR competitors were here which was cool. Got lots of documents for them! Also Mission Master XL is HUGE. You dont appreciate it until you see it.

I still have some photos to go through, so if youre looking for specifics let me know! I think this covers a lot of the things people wanted to see though.

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