COVE Canada marked an important milestone with the debut of an innovative at-sea testing capability and publication of their annual year-in-review publication in December 2025.
Launch of At-Sea Testing Capability Announced
On December 4, 2025, COVE unveiled its innovative containerized testing system designed for at-sea evaluation of next-generation towed array technologies. Created in cooperation with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), Ultra Maritime Canada (UM Canada) and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the initiative seeks to strengthen Canada's maritime security while speeding dual use underwater technology development for defense and commercial purposes.
The modular system can be rapidly installed onto different ships without diverting frontline Navy vessels, enabling frequent trials in diverse marine environments. It supports advanced towed sensor solutions such as active and passive arrays for long-range surveillance capabilities and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). MP Darren Fisher announced $9,690,773 of federal funding on behalf of Minister David J. McGuinty and ACOA Minister Sean Fraser.
COVE CEO Melanie Nadeau stressed the project's vital role in increasing naval readiness and technological sovereignty through industry-government-research partnerships, while Wayne Shaddock from Ultra Maritime highlighted how their Sea Tracker system integrated towed technologies for submarine detection and tracking. COVE serves as NATO DIANA's only Canadian accelerator site and part of Halifax's Defence Innovation Solutions Hub (DISH), driving NORAD modernization efforts as well as NATO priorities forward.
COVE Connect Review for December 2025: Year in Review
COVE Connect magazine published an in-depth review of 2025 in December, showing its momentum across global marine technology. Highlights included defence innovation, international collaborations, national partnerships and industry milestones.
COVE has made strides in defence innovation by unveiling Canada's inaugural Defence Innovation Secure Hub and joining with Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI) for their Defence Innovation Fellowship program. International efforts included organizing 2025 H2O Conference & Demo Day as well as signing an MOU with ORE Catapult for offshore renewable energy technology acceleration; plus joining Innovation Without Borders program as UK marine technology accelerator in Canada.
Nationally, Prime Minister Mark Carney visited COVE, with initiatives scaling skills across Atlantic Canada using Ocean Connector Series training modules and SMEs providing solutions to Royal Canadian Navy requirements. COVE's achievements from seabed to space were celebrated at its review event which underscored COVE's influence in improving economic resilience, security and climate readiness.
Strategic Implications for the Maritime Sector
COVE Marine Technology Hub of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia continues to gain momentum as Canada's premier marine technology hub in December with the announcement of two important developments: at-sea testing capabilities boosting sovereign testing capacity while the year-in-review demonstrating expanded partnerships and innovation leadership.
COVE has long been considered an indispensable gateway to North Atlantic security and, since its establishment, has continued to develop talent, commercialization pathways, and access to infrastructure - positioning Canadian technologies for global markets and allies' navy platforms.