MDA To Design Information Management System for Canadian MQ-9B SkyGuardian - An Analysis
General Atomics chooses MDA to deliver the RPAS ground control stations & more
In December 2023, it was big news that the Government of Canada had finally signed a contract to purchase a fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from General Atomics for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This was a long awaited and anticipated announcement and the procurement of RPAS was a cornerstone to the government’s 2017 Strong, Secure, Engaged defence strategy.
On February 13, it was announced that General Atomics has chosen MDA to complete the assembly of the RPAS ground control stations in Richmond, BC and will design the RPAS information management system. While this may sound fairly normal and straightforward, what jumped out to me is that MDA is not what you would describe as a traditional information management firm, but are nonetheless very well equipped for this type of work due to the unique needs. MDA is a Canadian company that specializes in space operations and technology, including satellites.
Prior to the announcement that the contract had been signed, it was announced that the initial delivery of the RPAS in 2025 would be delayed until 2028. Most analysts discussed the need to ensure the RPAS can work in the harsh Arctic/Northern environment, but it is likely that the delay is needed just as much to ensure there is proper infrastructure needed to maintain connectivity and control of the RPAS.
Department of National Defence representatives have acknowledged the challenges are more than about “ruggedizing” the RPAS for the North/Arctic, stating that operation in high latitudes “requires the use of satellites and aircraft antennas and communication components not previously integrated on the MQ-9.”
The RPAS aircrafts are to be stationed at 14 Wing in Greenwood, Nova Scotia and 19 Wing in Comox, BC, but will be “operated from a Forward Operating Location” when operating in northern Canada. However, the ground control centre will be based in Ottawa, meaning that reliable and secure connectivity to the RPAS aircraft must be established for where the CAF intends to operate the RPAS from Ottawa. This is not to say they won’t be mobile, many stations are built into storage containers for that very reason. However, the initial operating capacity seems to focus on Ottawa as the primary point of operation. This is why MDA serves as a great partner to take on the information management and other tasks, as the capacity to operate RPAS from anywhere in Canada will require good space assets. Fortunately, I believe this is one of the stronger capabilities that Canada presently has in terms of a satellites capabilities, but I am unsure the present capacity for the CAF.
The big question for me is how MDA will be designing the information management with pan-domain and cloud-based command and control in mind? The CAF’s primary networking and information infrastructure modernization project Information Technology Infrastructure in Support of Command and Control (ITI in Sp of C2) remains in a bureaucratic abyss based on the most recent information I have heard. Despite no mention of “cloud” in ITI in Sp of C2, this is the primary vehicle for classified cloud for the CAF. Classified cloud is one of the primary capabilities that the CAF has identified as required for pan-domain command and control and central to how the CAF will be fighting with allies in the future. The problem arises that the initial delivery is 2028/2029, but it is much more likely to be the 2030s due to delays and other parts of the government not working with the CAF to make this happen.