CANADIAN CONSORTIUM SELECTED TO ADVANCE QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY FOR PROTECTING NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY
Press Release + Noah Note
Datsa Dynamics will help translate Canadian quantum research into operational defence capabilities
CALGARY, Alberta, August 7, 2026 – Datsa Dynamics will play a key role in a new, more than $20-million Defence Innovation Secure Hub announced today by the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, at the University of Calgary. Led by Quantum City and supported by a Canadian consortium, the 24-month initiative will advance quantum sensing, communications, algorithms, and hardware assurance.
Datsa Dynamics, an aerospace and data analytics company, jointly owned by Canadian UAVs and the Des Nedhe Group, is a member of the consortium that helped secure this award. Datsa played an integral role by serving as the industry liaison, identifying and documenting use cases.
“We look forward to participating with University of Calgary and Quantum City in developing solutions that will advance Canadian defence capabilities,” said Mark Sombach, President of Datsa Dynamics LP. “This investment brings Canadian researchers, industry and the military together to develop technology that can close surveillance gaps and give decision-makers better information, faster.”
“This award reflects the direction Canada has set through its Defence Industrial Strategy: build critical capabilities at home, partner where it strengthens our position and increase Canadian participation in defence procurement,” said Grant Oliver, Vice-President of Des Nedhe Group Defence. “Quantum and uncrewed systems are central to that effort, and Datsa Dynamics is helping turn that strategy into Canadian-owned, operational capability.”
Canadian UAVs
Canadian UAVs is Canada's largest and most experienced drone operator, having completed more than 10,000 flight missions in the past year. The company also designs and manufactures the Sparrowhawk Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) radar system for drones, which has been deployed across Canada and in several NATO member countries.
Des Nedhe Group
Des Nedhe Group is fully owned English River First Nation enterprise with a growing presence in Canada’s defence sector. Through Des Nedhe Group Defence, it is contributing to major initiatives including the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, the modernization of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (RAGNAR), and the TKMS-led team pursuing the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) and its long-term sustainment requirements.
Noah Note: For those curious on Canadian participation, since admittedly we focused on some of the American aprtners more. Canadian UAVS and DNG are both wonderful companies. DNG especially has been really proactive in getting out there and building up an actual capacity to participate in the Defence Industrial Base. You love to see it.
There are more that will come out of the woodworks in the coming days, I hope. I think a lot of folks will be surprised at who's among this roster.