MDA Awarded $74M Contract For DND RPAS Ground Control Stations

MDA announced this morning it had been awarded a $74 million contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GS-ASI) to support the Canadian Armed Force MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The Government of Canada signed a deal with GS-ASI on December 19, 2023 to purchase RPAS. A Canadian team is working on the project, called Team SkyGuardian Canada and includes MDA, CAE, and L3Harris Technologies.

In its press release MDA stated that they “will complete the assembly of the RPAS ground control stations at MDA’s Richmond, BC, facility. MDA will also deliver the combat search and rescue radios for the program and design the RPAS Ground Control Centre information management system that controls how information flows, is secured and shared.”

According to MDA the “MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS is interoperable with Canada’s domestic missions and its continental defence missions through NORAD, as well as with Canada’s closest allies – including the Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance and NATO – for seamless integration with current and future Canadian defence, civil air, and ground assets.”

Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA said of the award, “Canada’s large, diverse and complex landscape, including the Arctic, require trusted and tested mission partners who understand the operating landscape, the need for seamless system integration, and the strategic value of real-time information and insight. We’re honoured to be partnering with GA-ASI and other Canadian companies to deliver this important new system that will support Canada’s domestic and continental defence and security priorities.”

Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI added, “Canada’s vast territory and complex terrains require a cost-effective, multi-mission RPAS solution that can endure long periods on station, fly in harsh weather environments, and operate safely in all airspaces. MQ-9B SkyGuardian will deliver on all those critical capabilities. We are proud of our long, successful, and rich history of innovation with Canada and our Canadian partners. We look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with MDA Ltd.”