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Aerospace, Defence and Dual-Use Industry

ACE Research and Testing Facility (ACE) at Ontario Tech University provides advanced environmental simulation, aerodynamic, vibration and controlled research and testing capabilities for aerospace, defence, mobility and dual-use technologies. 

ACE helps industry, government and research partners test and validate complete systems, sub-systems and components under complex, extreme and real-world conditions. 

ACE focuses on research, testing, validation and engineering excellence in controlled, secure and highly governed environments.

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The ACE Business Operations team and Engineers are available to discuss potential test plans and tailored solutions with you. Reach out today to learn how you can make the most of everything ACE has to offer.
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Aerospace and Defence Testing Capabilities

ACE is a single point of contact for access to climatic facilities, specialized equipment and technical expertise that support the development and validation of advanced aerospace, defence, dual-use and national resilience technologies. 

By simulating real-world operating conditions in controlled environments, ACE helps partners confirm performance, identify issues and build confidence before deployment. 

Flight Dynamics

Support aerodynamic testing of scale models and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS)/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with advanced model support systems, load cells and pressure measurement technology.

Flight Vehicle Performance

Evaluate RPAS performance in extreme weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, blowing snow and freezing rain, as well as structural durability through advanced vibration and life cycle testing.

Military Ground Vehicle Performance

Test heavy vehicles and components under extreme environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, ice, snow, solar radiation and thermal performance.

Military Standards-Compliant Testing

ACE is registered under Canada’s Controlled Goods Program and provides secure testing environments for eligible projects. ACE staff have experience following military standard test protocols such as MIL-STD-810H, MIL-PRF-83812D and other project-specific standards. 

ACE’s controlled testing approach supports partners that require: 

  • Secure testing environments.  
  • Standards-based testing protocols.  
  • Confidential project handling.  
  • Controlled access and on-site procedures.  
  • Experienced technical staff.  
  • Reliable data collection and reporting.  
  • Testing of systems, sub-systems and components under defined environmental conditions.  

All testing is conducted in accordance with applicable safety, security, regulatory and institutional requirements. 

About the Controlled Goods Program

The Controlled Goods Program in Canada is a federal program that regulates the examination, possession and transfer of sensitive military and national security items. This registration demonstrates ACE's commitment to stringent security requirements, including compliance, personnel security assessments and controlled access.

NATO DIANA Test Centre

The ACE Research and Testing Facility is part of NATO DIANA’s network of test centres. Through this role, ACE helps researchers, entrepreneurs and technology companies develop and validate dual-use technologies that contribute to safety, security and resilience. 

NATO DIANA logos.

As a NATO DIANA test centre, ACE connects with a broader innovation ecosystem that includes start-ups, scientific researchers, technology companies and end users working to advance deep technology with dual-use applications.

 

Federal Support for ACE

Strengthening Canadian Testing and Innovation Capacity

ACE’s expanded capabilities are supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). 

This investment helps strengthen Canada’s domestic testing and validation capacity, supporting technologies that advance safety, resilience, climate readiness, secure mobility, clean propulsion and Canadian innovation. 

With this support, ACE is enhancing its ability to help industry, government, researchers and innovators test and validate technologies in controlled, secure and highly specialized environments close to home. 

Read the official Government of Canada funding announcement.

FedDev Ontario Acknowledgement Graphic

Watch Aerospace Testing at ACE

To ensure that SkyX's SkyOne UAV meets and exceeds safety regulations and operates as efficiently as possible, SkyX turned to the powerful research and development capacity of ACE. ACE’s testing chambers, including the Climatic Wind Tunnel and Multi-Axis Shaker Table (MAST), provided the ultimate controlled environment for examining SkyOne’s performance in a wide range of conditions. This type of testing would take months if completed in the field. ACE compressed the testing timeframe to just one week.

Watch SkyX Testing at ACE - Watch Aerospace Testing at ACE

 

 

Aerospace and Defence FAQ

  • Is ACE available for aerospace and defence testing?
    Yes. ACE supports aerospace, defence, dual-use and national resilience testing through advanced climatic, aerodynamic, vibration and environmental testing capabilities. ACE engineers and technical specialists can work with partners to develop testing approaches that meet product development, validation and research needs. 
  • Is ACE registered under the Controlled Goods Program?
    Yes. ACE is registered under Canada’s Controlled Goods Program and supports eligible projects that require controlled, secure testing environments.
  • What types of aerospace testing can ACE support?
    ACE supports aerodynamic testing, scale-model testing, remotely piloted aircraft system testing, surface pressure measurement, force and moment measurement, tethered flight testing and environmental testing under weather extremes. 
  • Can ACE support testing of large systems or vehicles?
    Yes. ACE’s industrial-scale chambers can support testing of complete vehicles, platforms, systems, sub-systems and components under a range of environmental conditions. 
  • Can ACE support military standards-compliant testing?
    Yes. ACE staff have experience supporting testing aligned with military standard protocols, including MIL-STD-810H, MIL-PRF-83812D and other project-specific requirements. 
  • Can ACE support autonomous or uncrewed technology testing?
    Yes. ACE can support testing and validation for autonomous systems, remotely piloted aircraft systems, uncrewed vehicles, mobility platforms, sensors and related technologies. 
  • How does ACE support responsible innovation?
    ACE provides controlled testing environments, technical expertise and standards-based processes that help partners validate technologies safely and responsibly. ACE’s work is guided by applicable safety, security, regulatory and institutional requirements and Ontario Tech’s commitment to tech with a conscience. 
  • How can partners work with ACE?

    Partners can contact ACE to discuss testing needs, facility access, technical requirements, project scope, timelines and collaboration opportunities. 

    Contact ACE