Ottawa – The Cellular Airborne Sensors for Search and Rescue (CASSAR) system is a new technology that the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association have begun to employ on select aircraft to enhance the effectiveness of search and rescue (SAR) operations. The CASSAR system capability is currently being used on specific CC-130H Hercules, one of the RCAF’s primary search and rescue aircraft types flown from 19 Wing Comox, B.C.; 17 Wing Winnipeg, Man.; and 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S.
Provided that an individual is reported overdue or believed to be in distress, their cellphone is turned on, has sufficient battery power and not in airplane mode, a CASSAR equipped aircraft can identify and communicate with that person’s device. This provides a precise location and enables text or voice messaging to confirm a subject’s condition and distress level, even in the absence of a cellular network.
The CASSAR system has achieved an initial operational capability within the SAR community and has already been successfully employed on search and rescue missions including on June 8, 2024, when a boat with five people onboard was reported overdue, and on June 15, 2024, when two missing hunters equipped with a boat were also reported overdue. Crews of a CC-130H Hercules from 413 Squadron, based at 14 Wing Greenwood, were able to locate the missing vessels using the CASSAR system and communicate with their occupants within minutes of being in range, despite prevailing weather conditions that included thick fog.
This new technology is designed to help locate individuals more quickly saving valuable time in a distress situation and improving search outcomes.
“Canadian Joint Operations Command has responsibility for all Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue operations for an aeronautical and maritime search and rescue area that extends over 18 million square kilometres. With such a vast area, an enabling technology like the CASSAR system augments the existing search and rescue capability, reduces search time, and improves outcomes; a positive addition to search and rescue operations.” – Lt-General Steve Boivin, Canadian Joint Operations Command
“The Royal Canadian Air Force is always ready to support the Canadian Armed Forces’ enduring search and rescue requirements in support of federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal organizations, as well as air, ground, and maritime volunteer search and rescue organizations. Together we help those in distress. We are extremely pleased with what CASSAR has to offer to our crews, and are equally as pleased to see it in action, as it enhances our crews’ collective search and rescue capabilities – this is a capability that will surely save lives.” – Major-General Chris McKenna, 1 Canadian Air Division Commander