VICTORIA, British Columbia – The Canadian military’s acquisition of medium altitude armed drones is being delayed to permit for more development work to enable the aircraft to operate within the Arctic region.
The Remotely Piloted Aircraft System project was to deliver a fleet of drones for the Royal Canadian Air Force that will be operational by 2025. That date has now shifted and the delivery of the primary aircraft is anticipated in 2028.
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“The Canadian RPAS configuration would require significant development work with the intention to address RCAF requirements, which differ from our allies’ requirements,” said Department of National Defence spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin told Defense News.
Ottawa is targeted on acquiring the General Atomics MQ-9B Reaper in a project budgeted with as much as 5 billion Canadian dollars ($3.6 billion). It’s hoping to have a contract in place by the tip of this yr or early next yr.
The developmental work would require the combination of latest systems on the MQ-9B, Poulin said in an email.
“For instance, the necessity to operate at high northern latitudes, including within the Arctic, requires using satellites and aircraft antennas and communication components not previously integrated on the MQ-9,” she said. “Similarly, additional testing and qualification work will probably be required to make sure the RPAS might be operated and maintained in Canadian climatic conditions.”
Poulin said there’s also some developmental effort required to integrate the Canadian-made WESCAM MX-20 EO/IR sensor onto the platform.
“Other examples include work required to develop a training solution tailored to RCAF requirements, and airworthiness certification required to support the RCAF concept of operations,” Poulin added.
Mark Brinkley, a spokesman for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, declined to comment.
In September the U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada for 219 Hellfire missiles and other weapons and radars to be utilized by the MQ-9B. The proposed sale is value an estimated $313 million.
Department of National Defence spokesman Andrew McKelvey said that FMS proposal was developed based on the present planned timelines for the RPAS project. The equipment and weapons expected to be provided through the FMS case will probably be delivered as and when required to support the RPAS integration, testing and production work that will probably be performed by General Atomics, he added.
David Pugliese is the Canada correspondent for Defense News.