SAE Media Group’s Counter UAS Technology USA Conference has announced that Colonel Chris Labbé, Head of Canada’s new Joint Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Office, will join this year’s lineup. Heading up the Canadian C-UAS strategy, COL Labbé will provide insights into Canada’s latest advancements, challenges, and priorities to detect and mitigate the growing threat of drones.
COL Labbé leads the Canadian Joint C-UAS Office, created in July 2024, which operates independently under the Vice Chief of Defence Staff’s Chief of Combat Systems Integration. In an interview with SAE Media Group, COL Labbé highlighted the complexities of adapting C-UAS measures across the country’s vast landscape:
“Canada’s large, but sparsely populated geography presents a significant challenge for domestic air defence including C-UAS.”
Key priorities for COL Labbé include building the new office, engaging with allies, and supporting the Canadian Armed Forces in developing C-UAS capabilities for government investment.
According to COL Labbé, integration remains a challenge:
“As most effective C-UAS solutions are a system of systems, each new OEM must ensure their system connects with various command and control solutions.”
At the conference, he looks forward to updates on civil-military collaboration, system integration, and UAS solutions in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasised the importance of international cooperation, stating that:
“These conferences connect C-UAS practitioners with partners they might not otherwise encounter, fostering valuable lessons and partnership opportunities.”
The 4th Annual Counter UAS Technology USA Conference will take place in Arlington, VA, on December 2-4, 2024, featuring global experts who will explore and discuss the latest technologies and strategies to counter drones.
Limited tickets remain – register now for the conference.
About SAE Media Group
SMG Conferences, based in London, produces over 45 high-level networking events worldwide, concentrating on the Aerospace, Defense, Pharmaceutical, and Medical industries. These events bring together senior government and industry executives/program managers to share knowledge and collaborate on key technology topics including military space, unmanned and autonomous systems, microbiology, biosensors, and much more.
The conference is free to attend for serving military, DOD and government representatives (excluding contractors). For more information about the Counter UAS Technology USA conference, please email Victoria Ayuso, Production Manager – Defence, SAE Media Group London, at victoria.ayuso@saemediagroup.com.
