The Early Cold War
Anti-Submarine Warfare

The Canadian navy's main Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare against the naval forces of the Soviet Union and its allies. Canada's navy operated within a framework of alliances, especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), created in 1949.

Grumman Tracker Launch

In this late 1950s photograph, a Grumman Tracker anti-submarine aircraft prepares for launch from the Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure.

The anti-submarine mission was an important role for Canadian aircraft carriers, and DeHavilland Canada built a Canadian version of the American-designed Tracker for the Royal Canadian Navy. Designed to hunt and destroy submarines, the Tracker carried a range of sensors to detect submarines and weapons to use against them. A large searchlight under the Tracker's wing (far left) could illuminate surfaced submarines.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19900076-973