Program directory · National Research Council Canada

Aerospace

Department

National Research Council Canada

Program code

BNQ01 (NRC)

Core responsibility

Science and Innovation

In Departmental Plans

2018-19 – 2026-27 · New since an earlier plan

What it does

The Aerospace program focuses on aerospace research and technology development in the core areas of aerodynamics, flight research, gas turbines, structures and materials, and manufacturing. The program’s research strategic focus areas are autonomous aerial mobility, non-conventional aircraft configurations, digital twins for certification & sustainment, and additive/subtractive manufacturing. It conducts R&D across the full spectrum of issues related to the design, manufacture, qualification, performance, use and maintenance of air vehicles through self-funded, collaborative, and fee-for-service projects. This work covers all of the major concerns in aerospace—cost, weight, safety, human factors, and environmental footprint.

The program facilitates the exchange of ideas to help catalyze progress towards research excellence and innovative technology solutions through active partnerships and collaborations with industrial partners, universities, other government departments and international research and technology organizations. It addresses some of the critical challenges faced by the Canadian and global aerospace sectors, and it supports industry with the development and delivery of demonstrated technologies into both the civilian and military markets. The program conducts research to help the Canadian Armed Forces overcome technical challenges and meet operational goals and works with Canada’s aerospace regulators to support informed decision-making. Its unique facilities help clients overcome their product development and certification challenges and is home to over 350 aerospace researchers with core expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, flight research, icing, manufacturing and structures and materials performance. The program’s focus on research excellence, collaborations, commercialization, and advancing government mandates supports its goals of being a leader in research and technology and of strengthening Canada’s global position in the aerospace sector.

Source: the department's Program Inventory, via GC InfoBase.

History and lineage

First appears in GC InfoBase's actual spending by program in 2018-19. The data does not record when a program was created; it may be older than its first appearance here, which is limited by the sources (program spending starts in 2010-11, Departmental Plans in 2018-19).

No earlier or later program in the same department has a similar name.

Significant changes in scope and budget

Success criteria

The program's indicators from its department's Departmental Results Framework: the target set in each year's plan, and the result reported the following year. Source: GC InfoBase.

Spending and employees: planned against actual

Spending

Employees (FTEs)

Planned spending, plan by plan

Each row is one year's Departmental Plan and its forecast for the next three fiscal years; read a column down to see how the forecast for one year changed. The last row is what was actually spent. Click an amount for its source. Biggest changes in federal spending plans

Actual spending is from Departmental Results Reports and the Public Accounts, as published in GC InfoBase. FTEs are full-time equivalents.