Arcfield Canada included in MDA Space Solution for RCN ISTAR Program
Arcfield Canada selected by MDA Space Ltd. to provide specialized airworthiness expertise to ensure that the UAS meets all Department of National Defence (DND) airworthiness requirements.
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 22, 2025 – Arcfield Canada Corp. announced today it has been selected by MDA Space Ltd. (TSX:MDA), a leading provider of advanced technology and services to the rapidly expanding global space industry, as part of the company’s contract award to equip the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)’s Halifax-class ships with up to six new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).
Arcfield Canada will provide specialized airworthiness expertise to ensure that the UAS meets all Department of National Defence (DND) airworthiness requirements. This includes supporting the achievement of technical, operational, and investigative airworthiness clearances, and contributing to the delivery of a safe and operationally effective capability for the RCN. The Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (ISTAR UAS) project will significantly enhance the RCN’s ability to detect and monitor potential maritime threats, both at home and abroad.
“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.”
“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.”
By extending the Navy’s situational awareness and operational reach, the advanced technology of the RCN-ISTAR UAS will support Canada’s naval missions and provide the RCN with critical expertise in uncrewed systems and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
About Arcfield Canada Corp.
Arcfield Canada has been a trusted partner to the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 35 years; supplying world-class in-service and integrated logistics support through its expertise in supply chain management, material support, component and aircraft parts maintenance, repair and overhaul, and innovative engineering solutions. Arcfield Canada is an affiliate of Arcfield, a global defense and security solutions provider to the U.S. government and its allies. Visit arcfield.ca for more details.
Noah Note: Arcfield is one of the major members of Team MDA along with Schiebel, Wescam, IMSAR, Overwatch and UVAD. I feel I need to emphasize that since most of the media can't seem to get the basics on this project.
Apologies if that sounds spiteful, but the reporting on the ISTAR contract was absolutely dreadful. Not only did most people take over a day to report it, but so many publications couldn't even tell you what platform was being offered, acting like it was a big mystery.
This is in spite of MDA and Schiebel having a very public, years long cooperative relationship with each other. Also, you know, a quick Google search would have popped up all their work.
Nevertheless the S-100 is an awesome platform. It will provide the Royal Canadian Navy with a highly-modular, Over-the-Horizon UAS already well in service with many of our allies. The NSP-5 with the Wescam MX-8 is a killer combo to have, and I can't wait to see them in service.
Its actually very impressive what the navy is doing with unmanned systems. Theyre building up a large roster of varying, complimentary UAS, we have the Underwater Enviornmental Assessment project looking as XLUUV, Hammerhead testing, and Topshee forever teasing me about larger MUSV/LUSV.
The AOPS UAS is already in the RFI stage. If you follow the newsletter you will have taken note of it over the last few months. The next one after will be a Heavy-Lift UAS for the Joint Support Ships.
Once all of these are delivered the RCN will have several complementary UAS systems of various size classes operating in tandem eith each other. The RCN is certainly not taking a pause from the unmanned game!
If you're curious about the S-100 and RCN ISTAR you can find our article here.