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A training variant of the CC-295 that will be used to instruct Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) maintenance technicians is now flying across the country towards CFB Comox, B.C., the home of search and rescue training in Canada. Flown by an Airbus Defence and Space flight crew, the fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) aircraft maintenance trainer (AMT) landed in St. John's, N.L., before arriving at CFB Greenwood, N.S., on Jan. 30. It left Greenwood on Jan. 31 and is making its way across the country, stopping at the RCAF bases where it will eventually be in service (Greenwood, Trenton, Ont., and Winnipeg, Man.) before arriving at its new home at Comox. According to 14 Wing Greenwood public affairs officer Capt. Matt Zalot, the AMT attracted much attention from RCAF members on base, who currently fly the aging CC-130H Hercules in a search and rescue role. The arrival of the AMT represents a key milestone in Canada's FWSAR aircraft replacement program, said the RCAF. “As with any program, the FWSAR project is one of milestones, and the arrival of the AMT is an important one on the overall journey towards operational implementation of the CC-295 fleet,” said Isabelle Latulippe, FWSAR project manager. The AMT is for training purposes only and is not equipped to perform search and rescue missions. It is not part of Canada's order, signed in December 2016, for 16 CC-295 aircraft. Upon arrival in Comox, the RCAF said the aircraft will be disassembled and then reassembled inside the new training centre as a maintenance training aid. On Dec. 20, Airbus announced via Twitter that Canada had accepted the first of its 16 CC-295s at the manufacturer's facility in Seville, Spain, and that it would be ferried to its home base at Comox sometime in mid-2020. Members of RCAF 434 Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron have been at Airbus's International Training Centre since last fall to evaluate and train on the aircraft. In November, Skies reported that complications with the CC-295's technical manuals could delay the first delivery. Airbus unveiled the aircraft in RCAF livery in mid-October. Last July, the RCAF asked the public to help choose the name of the new search and rescue aircraft, offering five choices: Canso II, Guardian, Iris, Kingfisher and Turnstone. About 33,000 people voted for their favourites and RCAF Commander LGen Al Meinzinger was set to make the final decision. However, no announcement has been made to date. The RCAF is reportedly in the midst of legal procedures associated with using its selected name and no further details have been released. Canada is receiving the latest C-295 variant, featuring winglets for fuel savings and increased performance. The aircraft has an advanced avionics suite, fuselage reinforcements and a hatch for rapid evacuation in case of a forced water landing. Airbus tailored the cabin interior to meet RCAF operational requirements, with a new wireless intercom system for crew communications, increased equipment storage space, brighter lighting for medevac treatment, and lighting compatible with the use of night vision systems. The CC-295s will eventually replace the de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo and Lockheed Martin CC-130H Hercules fleets that currently perform the search and rescue role. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/cc-295-maintenance-trainer-arrives-in-canada

Un produit novateur développé au Québec Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine, 29 janvier 2019 — L'entreprise Laflamme Aéro, située dans la région de Thetford Mines, annonce la conclusion d'une ronde de financement de 2 millions de dollars à laquelle participent Investissement Québec, Anges Québec et Anges Québec Capital. Des investissements qui tombent à point pour l'entreprise qui s'apprête à commercialiser son drone LX300 dès 2020, le premier appareil au monde de type hélicoptère sans pilote capable de transporter des charges de 90 kilos. « Le LX300 est l'un des plus gros drones civils au monde. Avec ses 300 kilos, il se distingue principalement par sa polyvalence, sa capacité à transporter de lourdes charges et son autonomie de vol de huit heures. Cet investissement de 2 millions de dollars nous permet à présent de propulser et de faire connaître notre produit vers les grands marchés nationaux et internationaux », explique Enrick Laflamme, ingénieur, cofondateur et président de Laflamme Aéro, entreprise qu'il a fondée avec son frère David également ingénieur et vice-président ingénierie de l'entreprise en pleine croissance. Outre le déploiement commercial du LX300, les nouveaux investissements annoncés aujourd'hui permettront de soutenir l'amélioration des infrastructures de l'entreprise et l'implantation d'une chaîne de montage, l'ajout de nouvelles ressources pour soutenir la croissance de Laflamme Aéro, ainsi que la continuité en recherche et développement de nouveaux produits. Développé par l'entreprise familiale depuis 2013, le LX300 est un produit novateur destiné tant aux secteurs privé que commercial, militaire ou gouvernemental. Très versatile, l'appareil peut être muni de caméras de surveillance ou encore transporter du matériel sur de longues distances, pour approvisionner un secteur difficilement accessible par exemple. Le LX300 a relevé avec succès les nombreux essais en vol et autres manœuvres délicates de décollages et d'atterrissages au cours des deux dernières années. « Il a tous les avantages d'un hélicoptère, mais sans avoir besoin d'un pilote. Il est muni d'un système de rotor en tandem (deux hélices), permettant le décollage et l'atterrissage à la verticale et une grande stabilité. Tous ces éléments et la qualité de conception en font un produit extrêmement fiable et dont les coûts opérationnels sont compétitifs », ajoute M. Laflamme. Soutenir l'innovation en région « Laflamme Aéro a développé une technologie efficace et unique, qui démontre l'excellence du Québec en matière d'innovation. Nous sommes fiers de soutenir une jeune entreprise aéronautique de pointe établie dans la région de Chaudière-Appalaches, afin de lui permettre d'être compétitive dans les différents secteurs ciblés afin de tirer son épingle du jeu dans un marché mondial de plusieurs milliards de dollars », soutient M. Pierre Fitzgibbon, ministre de l'Économie et de l'Innovation. « Un secteur fort compétitif comme l'aéronautique exige des investissements majeurs en recherche et développement de la part des entreprises, et ce, sur plusieurs années, avant d'en arriver au stade de précommercialisation. Dans le cadre du mandat élargi que lui confie le gouvernement, Investissement Québec entend déployer des efforts particuliers pour financer et accompagner les entreprises des régions non urbaines comme Laflamme Aéro. Nous souhaitons faire la différence afin d'atténuer les lacunes décelées lors des stades critiques où les niveaux de risque-rendement sont souvent jugés trop élevés pour intéresser certains acteurs privés », précise M. Guy LeBlanc, président-directeur général, Investissement Québec. Précisons que Laflamme Aéro bénéficie du soutien de Transport Canada dans le développement d'une certification adaptée selon les plus hauts standards, ainsi que de l'entreprise General Dynamics Mission Systems, une des plus grandes entreprises de défense et de sécurité au Canada, avec qui l'entreprise de Chaudière-Appalaches a récemment signé un accord de coopération afin de promouvoir le LX300 auprès des grands joueurs en défense et en sécurité au Canada et à l'international. À propos de Laflamme Aéro Fondée en 2006, Laflamme Aéro est une entreprise familiale située à St-Joseph-de-Coleraine dans la région de Thetford Mines au Québec dirigée par les frères David et Enrick Laflamme, tous deux ingénieurs et passionnés d'aviation. L'entreprise se spécialise dans le développement d'hélicoptères à rotors en tandem, dont le LX300 qui sera commercialisé dès 2020. Laflamme Aéro possède également une division de génie-conseil, Laflamme Ingénierie, qui réalise des projets d'ingénierie mécanique en sous-traitance pour des entreprises du secteur aérospatial, énergétique et manufacturier. À propos d'Investissement Québec Investissement Québec a pour mission de favoriser la croissance de l'investissement au Québec, contribuant ainsi au développement économique et à la création d'emplois, et ce, dans toutes les régions. La Société met au service des entreprises une gamme complète de solutions financières, notamment des prêts, des garanties de prêt et de l'investissement en capital-actions, afin de les soutenir à tous les stades de leur développement. De plus, elle est responsable de l'administration de mesures fiscales et de la prospection d'investissements à l'étranger. À propos d'Anges Québec Fondé en 2008, Anges Québec est un réseau de plus de 250 anges investisseurs qui ont pour mission d'investir et de s'investir dans des entreprises québécoises innovantes. Les membres du réseau d'Anges Québec ont, à ce jour, investi plus de 100 M$ dans l'économie québécoise, totalisant plus de 265 investissements dans plus de 137 entreprises innovantes. Gr'ce à son centre de développement professionnel, Anges Québec soutient ses membres dans l'acquisition constante de nouvelles connaissances et compétences inhérentes à l'investissement. À propos d'Anges Québec Capital Fondé en 2012, Anges Québec Capital est un fonds d'investissement de 86M$, commandité par Investissement Québec, via ses fonds propres et à titre de mandataire du Gouvernement du Québec, la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), le Fonds de Solidarité FTQ et des membres d'Anges Québec. Il a pour mission d'accompagner les 250 membres d'Anges Québec dans leurs investissements. À ce jour, Anges Québec Capital a investi plus de 47M$ dans 53 entreprises innovantes, totalisant 112 transactions. Pour recevoir les communiqués d'Investissement Québec en temps réel, inscrivez-vous au fil RSS suivant : http://feeds.feedburner.com/IQcommuniques Information Investissement Québec 1 844 474-6367 https://www-investquebec-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.investquebec.com/amp/quebec/fr/salle-de-presse/communiques/Laflamme-Aero-recoit-2-millions-de-dollars-en-capital-de-risque.html

We have 5 new challenges! The National Research Council of Canada and the Communication Security Establishment are looking for solutions from Canadian innovators. Do you think you can solve these challenges? Nous avons 5 nouveaux défis ! Le Conseil national de recherches du Canada et le Centre de la sécurité des télécommunications cherchent des solutions auprès des innovateurs canadiens. Pensez-vous pouvoir relever ces défis ?

CAE announced it has signed a contract amendment with the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Program Management Agency (NAPMA) to perform avionics updates on the E-3A flight deck simulator and E-3A flight training device located at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen in Germany. The avionics updates to the training devices relate to the latest standards of the advanced Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems currently being implemented on NATO's fleet of 14 E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The avionics updates to the E-3A flight deck simulator will be complete in 2021. “CAE has supported the training of NATO E-3A aircrews for almost 40 years, and these simulators continue to play a key role in helping ensure the readiness of the E-3A aircrews from 16 nations who carry out a range of critical missions,” said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, vice-president and general manager, Defence & Security International, CAE. “The avionics upgrades we will deliver continue our longstanding support of the E-3A training devices, and we look forward to supporting the NATO E-3A AWACS mission through 2035 as part of the Final Lifetime Extension Program of the fleet.” CAE designed and manufactured the original NATO E-3A flight deck simulator that entered service in 1982. Since that time, the simulator has been continuously upgraded and enhanced to ensure concurrency with the aircraft and enable E-3A aircrews to conduct more synthetic training. The E-3A flight deck simulator is currently qualified to Level D, the highest for flight simulators. The CAE-built E-3A flight training device is qualified to Level II and is used to support familiarization and procedural training for aircrews prior to full-mission training in the E-3A flight deck simulator. CAE is currently responsible for maintenance and support of the E-3A training devices in addition to providing a cadre of instructors and mission system operators to support the delivery of training to NATO E-3A AWACS aircrews. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/cae-contracted-to-upgrade-nato-e-3a-awacs-training-devices

SAGUENAY – La plupart des PME croient que le marché de la défense et des équipements militaires est complexe et inaccessible. En réalité, ce n'est pas le cas. C'est ce qu'ont expliqué Rock Lemay et Patrick Sirois de la firme Triodeaux quelque 40 entrepreneurs de la région lors d'un déjeuner-conférence organisé par la Société de la Vallée de l'Aluminium(SVA), ce matin, au Manoir du Saguenay. « Il est important pour les PME de comprendre que les contrats ne concernent pas les armements et les avions, par exemple. Il y a plein de petites et grandes entreprises qui ont découvert le marché militaire. Ce marché de la défense et des équipements militaires qui avait été délaissé pendant plusieurs années au Canada, connaît une recrudescence dans les investissements afin de renouveler les équipements nécessaires aux soldats. Il ne s'agit pas seulement des produits de haute technologie, mais également de produits et de l'équipement communs tels que les bateaux, les camions, les plateformes, les uniformes et bien d'autres. Par exemple, l'entreprise d'autobus Prévost a une division militaire. L'armée a acheté 1 500 camions en France et Prévost doit les habiller avec des équipements adaptés. C'est là que les sous-traitants rentrent en ligne de compte et peut fournir des équipements comme des coffres, échelle, pièces de métal, plateforme, etc. », explique Patrick Sirois, président de Triode. Forte croissance Au cours des 10 prochaines années, les besoins du marché de la défense connaîtront une forte croissance. Les budgets pour le renouvellement des équipements sont déjà votés et alloués et les différents départements de l'armée s'affairent à déterminer leurs besoins avant d'aller en appel d'offres. « Autre facteur intéressant, Développement économique Canada (DEC) a mis en place au cours des dernières années une politique de retombées industrielles et technologiques qui favorisent les PME et les régions. En gros, cette politique assure que même si le contrat est octroyé à des entreprises étrangères, celles-ci n'auront d'autre choix que de travailler avec des fournisseurs ou des partenaires locaux pour faire de la recherche ou de l'assemblage de produits. » En fait, les prochaines années promettent d'être très intéressantes dans ce marché. Nul besoin d'être impliqué dans des projets d'armement. « Il y a beaucoup d'équipements pour lesquels la défense canadienne cherchera des fournisseurs, tels que des remorques, des ponts, des ponceaux, des équipements logistiques, des conteneurs ainsi que l'ensemble de l'équipement nécessaire à installer et soutenir des campements temporaires. Tous ces projets représentent de belles opportunités pour les entreprises de la région », affirment M. Sirois et son collègue Rock Lemay en précisant que le marché de la défense et des équipements militaires est de plus en plus accessible pour les PME qui savent se préparer et qui ont un minimum de processus déployés dans leur organisation. Enfin, soulignons que ce déjeuner-conférence servait à démystifier le processus et de permettre aux PME qui le désirent d'êtres accompagnées tout au long de la démarche par la SVA et son créneau d'excellence. (Texte en collaboration avec Guy Bouchard) https://informeaffaires.com/regional/manufacturier-et-fournisseur/le-marche-militaire-a-la-portee-des-pme-regionales

De : DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca Envoyé : mercredi 22 janvier 2020 10:46 Objet : New Call for Applications: Corrosion Detection in Ships Sandbox /Nouvel appel de candidatures : Environnement protégé relatif à la détection de la corrosion sur les navires Corrosion Detection in Ships Sandbox: Rust Never Sleeps Test your best solutions to find corrosion trouble spots for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The latest IDEaS sandbox, Corrosion Detection in Ships, is now accepting applications. The Sandbox will take place at the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and will focus on naval vessels. Participants will get the opportunity to showcase their products in realistic simulations, with successful demonstrations resulting in access to an actual vessel to demonstrate their solution in a real world environment. Apply now to test your technologies at one of the leading collaborative facilities for applied innovation in the ocean sector. The deadline to apply is February 19, 2020. Apply now: https://canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas/understanding-ideas/sandbox/corrosion-detection-in-ships.html Need to get in touch with us? Email us at: IDEaSSandboxes-EnvironnementsprotegesIDEeS@forces.gc.ca The IDEaS Team ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Environnement protégé relatif à la détection de la corrosion sur les navires : La rouille ne dort jamais Testez vos meilleures solutions pour détecter la corrosion de l'équipement de la Marine royale canadienne (MRC). Nous acceptons présentement les candidatures pour le plus récent environnement protégé relatif à la détection de la corrosion sur les navires. L'environnement protégé aura lieu dans les installations du Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) à Darmouth, en Nouvelle-Écosse, et sera axé sur les navires militaires. Les participants auront l'occasion de démontrer leurs produits dans le cadre de simulations réalistes, et les participants dont les démonstrations seront réussies auront accès à un navire sur lequel ils pourront faire la preuve de leur solution dans un environnement réel. Posez votre candidature dès maintenant pour tester vos technologies dans l'une des principales installations de collaboration pour l'innovation appliquée dans le secteur océanique. L'échéance pour poser votre candidature est le 19 février 2020. Posez votre candidature maintenant : https://canada.ca/fr/ministere-defense-nationale/programmes/idees-defense/comprendre-programme-idees/environnements-proteges/detection-de-la-corrosion-a-bord-des-navires.html Besoin de communiquer avec nous? Faites-nous parvenir un courriel à l'adresse suivante : IDEaSSandboxes-EnvironnementsprotegesIDEeS@forces.gc.ca L'équipe IDEeS

CAE has announced the appointment of Todd Probert as group president, Defence and Security, effective Jan. 27, 2020. He will be based in Washington, D.C., and is succeeding Gene Colabatistto, who retired from CAE in December 2019. “I am very pleased to welcome Todd Probert to CAE's executive management team, as our new group president, Defence and Security. He is a proven strategic business leader with the right balance of technical, business and international experience in defence and technology,” said Marc Parent, CAE's president and chief executive officer. “Todd's competencies and background are very well aligned with CAE's emphasis on digital innovation and our long-term vision to be the training partner of choice. His ability to drive business growth and create strategic partnerships will bring significant value to our company and our defence customers.” Probert worked for Raytheon, the world's fourth largest defence company, over the past 10 years. Most recently, he was leading the Command, Control, Space and Intelligence business unit as part of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services segment. In this role, he spearheaded Raytheon's use of commercial software development practices and artificial intelligence for military and intelligence community customers in addition to establishing strategic relationships with Silicon Valley companies. He previously served as the vice-president of Raytheon's Mission Support and Modernization product line where he steadily grew the business during his tenure. He has formed innovative partnerships with leading tech companies to transform the development timelines and delivery of capabilities to the U.S. Department of Defense in areas such as fully open architectures, artificial intelligence and cyber security. He also held the position of vice-president, Engineering and Technology, where he managed the engineering workforce for Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services portfolio. Before joining Raytheon, Probert worked for Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. (HTSI) in various functions such as strategy and business development, planning and operations, merger and acquisition activities, and he also served as HTSI's chief technology officer. Prior to that, he worked for ANSER, where he led the Space Technology division. In 2019, Probert was named by WashingtonExec as one of the Top 10 Department of Defense (DOD) Executives to Watch based on business accomplishments, impact on the defence community and vision for the future. He also received the 2019 Aviation Week Program Excellence Award in the OEM Sustainment category. Probert holds a master's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Purdue University, where he was named Outstanding Aerospace Engineer of the Year in 2017. He has a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/cae-appoints-todd-probert-as-group-president-defence-and-security

by Kris Osborn Key point: At this rate, the F-35 won't even see combat before its outmoded. It is also possible that the new 6th-generation fighter could use advanced, futuristic stealth technology able to enable newer, more capable air defenses. The air defenses of potential adversaries are increasingly using faster computing processing power and are better networked together, more digital, able to detect a wider range of frequencies and able to detect stealthy aircraft at farther distances. The Air Force has begun experimenting and conceptual planning for a 6th generation fighter aircraft to emerge in coming years as a technological step beyond the F-35, service leaders said. "We have started experimentation, developmental planning and technology investment," Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Acquisition, told Scout Warrior in an interview. The new aircraft, engineered to succeed the 5th-generation F-35 Joint StrikeFighter and explode onto the scene by the mid 2030s, is now in the earliest stages of conceptual development with the Air Force and Navy. The two services are now working together on early conceptual discussions about the types of technologies and capabilities the aircraft will contain. While the Air Force has not yet identified a platform for the new aircraft. The Air Force characterizes the effort in terms of a future capability called Next-Gen Air Dominance. While Bunch did not elaborate on the specifics of ongoing early efforts, he did make reference to the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan which delineates some key elements of the service's strategy for a future platform. Fighter jets in 20-years may likely contain the next-generation of stealth technology, electronic warfare, sophisticated computer processing and algorithms, increased autonomy, hypersonic weapons and so-called "smart-skins" where sensors are built into the side of the aircraft itself. Some of these characteristics may have been on display more than a year ago when Northrop Grumman's SuperBowl AD revealed a flashy first look at its rendering of a new 6th-generation fighter jet. Northrop is one of a number of major defense industry manufacturers who will bid for a contract to build the new plane - when the time is right. While there are not many details available on this work, it is safe to assume Northrop is advancing concepts, technology and early design work toward this end. Boeing is also in the early phases of development of a 6th-gen design, according to a report in Defense News. The Navy's new aircraft will, at least in part, replace the existing inventory of F/A-18 Super Hornets which will start to retire by 2035, Navy officials said. The Navy vision for a future carrier air wing in 2040 and beyond is comprised of the carrier-launched variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, and legacy aircraft such as the EA-18G Growler electronic jamming aircraft. Also, around this time is when Navy planners envision its 6th generation aircraft to be ready, an aircraft which will likely be engineered for both manned and unmanned missions. Technologies are rapidly advancing in coatings, electromagnetic spectrum issues, artificial intelligence, maneuvering, superiority in sensing the battlespace, communications and data links, Navy leaders have said. Navy officials also add that the Navy is likely to develop new carrier-launched unmanned air vehicles in coming years as well. For instance, Northrop's historic X-47B demonstrator aircraft was the first unmanned system to successfully launch and land on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Analysts have speculated that as 6th generation developers seek to engineer a sixth-generation aircraft, they will likely explore a range of next-generation technologies such as maximum sensor connectivity, super cruise ability and an aircraft with electronically configured “smart skins.” Super cruise technology would enable the new fighter jet to cruise at supersonic speeds without needing afterburner, analysts have explained. As a result, super cruise brings a substantial tactical advantage because it allows for high-speed maneuvering without needing afterburner, therefore enable much longer on-location mission time. Such a scenario provides a time advantage as the aircraft would likely outlast a rival aircraft likely to run out of fuel earlier. The Air Force F-22 has a version of supercruise technology. Maximum connectivity would mean massively increased communications and sensor technology such as having an ability to achieve real-time connectivity with satellites, other aircraft and anything that could provide relevant battlefield information.The new aircraft might also seek to develop the ability to fire hypersonic weapons, however such a development would hinge upon successful progress with yet-to-be-proven technologies such as scramjets traveling at hypersonic speeds. Some tests of early renderings of this technology have been tested successfully and yet other attempts have failed. The Air Force Chief Scientist, Dr. Geoffrey Zacharias, has told Scout Warrior that the US anticipates having hypersonic weapons by the 2020s, hypersonic drones by the 2030s and recoverable hypersonic drone aircraft by the 2040s. There is little doubt that hypersonic technology, whether it be weaponry or propulsion, or both, will figure prominently into future aircraft designs. Smart aircraft skins would involve dispersing certain technologies or sensors across the fuselage and further integrating them into the aircraft itself, using next-generation computer algorithms to organize and display information for the pilot. We see some of this already in the F-35; the aircraft sensor fusion uses advanced computer technology to collect, organize and display combat relevant information from a variety of otherwise disparate sensors onto a single screen for pilots. In addition, Northrop's Distributed Aperture System is engineered to provide F-35 pilots with a 360-degree view of the battlespace. Cameras on the DAS are engineered into parts of the F-35 fuselage itself to reduce drag and lower the aircraft's radar signature. Smart skins with distributed electronics means that instead of having systems mounted on the aircraft, you would have apertures integrated on the skin of the aircraft, analysts have said. This could reduce drag, increase speed and maneuverability while increasing the technological ability of the sensors. It is also possible that the new 6th-generation fighter could use advanced, futuristic stealth technology able to enable newer, more capable air defenses. The air defenses of potential adversaries are increasingly using faster computing processing power and are better networked together, more digital, able to detect a wider range of frequencies and able to detect stealthy aircraft at farther distances. The new 6th-generation fighter will also likely fire lasers and have the ability to launch offensive electronic attacks. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/f-35s-are-dead-sixth-generation-fighter-aircraft-its-way-114901

Maxar announced it signed a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian business, MDA, to Northern Private Capital (NPC). You can read the details in our press release. I would like to assure you that MDA is committed to continuously delivering the high-quality of service that our customers expect. Maxar and MDA will continue normal operations through the expected close of the transaction, which we believe will happen within 12 months, after the standard U.S. and Canadian regulatory approval. After the close, the MDA team will operate as a private, stand-alone company within NPC's portfolio, retaining its name and standing as the leading space and defence company in Canada. MDA will remain an important business partner and supplier to Maxar, and Maxar will be MDA's largest customer. Additionally, the companies will continue to sell each other's complementary satellite data. NPC is a Toronto-based investment firm led by John Risley and Andrew Lapham. It has created a Canadian investment fund to finance this transaction. NPC views Canada's renewed commitment to utilizing space for its civil and defence needs as a strong opportunity to bring MDA home to Canada. MDA will remain dedicated to its work for the Canadian government and as a merchant supplier to the international community. Maxar's leadership team and Board of Directors believe this transaction best positions Maxar for growth in the future. Once closed, it will enable Maxar to reduce its debt load and focus on substantial growth opportunities in its core markets of Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure. And likewise, MDA will be able to focus on capturing large, Canadian programs in the future, in addition to addressing commercial and export markets.