In a major stride toward modernizing Canada’s naval intelligence and surveillance capabilities, Arcfield Canada Corp. has been selected by MDA Space Ltd. as part of the company’s contract to equip the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with a new generation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).
The partnership positions Arcfield Canada as a vital contributor to the RCN’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) UAS project, which will deliver up to six cutting-edge systems for deployment across the Halifax-class fleet.
“We are thrilled to contribute to this important program and collaborate with other industry leaders,” said Luc Sabourin, vice-president of Arcfield Canada. “Our role in supporting airworthiness will help the Royal Canadian Navy to operate these advanced UASs safely and confidently in dynamic maritime environments.”
Strengthening Canada’s Maritime Edge
Under this collaboration, Arcfield Canada will provide specialized airworthiness expertise—a critical element in ensuring the safe and effective integration of the new uncrewed systems into the Navy’s operations. The company’s work will support Department of National Defence (DND) airworthiness requirements, including technical, operational, and investigative clearances necessary to bring the UAS into service.
These efforts will ensure the RCN’s uncrewed aircraft operate safely in complex maritime environments while meeting the highest operational standards. The capability will enhance Canada’s ability to detect, identify, and monitor potential maritime threats—both in home waters and on international missions.
“This contract marks an exciting milestone for Arcfield Canada as we expand our mission support across the DND,” said Kevin Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Arcfield. “We are proud to bring our proven airworthiness expertise and decades of experience to the Royal Canadian Navy and in support of Canada’s evolving defence priorities.”
Expanding Situational Awareness and Reach
The ISTAR UAS project represents a leap forward in Canada’s maritime situational awareness. By extending the Navy’s operational reach far beyond the horizon, the system will allow crews to conduct persistent surveillance, reconnaissance, and threat detection with unprecedented agility and precision.
Incorporating uncrewed aerial technology into naval operations also advances Canada’s growing expertise in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and autonomous systems—fields that are rapidly redefining defence capabilities worldwide.
For Arcfield Canada, participation in this landmark project underscores the company’s longstanding commitment to mission sustainment, technical excellence, and support of Canada’s defence modernization agenda.