Partnership between Ottawa-based Contextere, the Royal Canadian Air Force and Lockheed Martin Canada will advance military workforce readiness while developing a Canadian AI capability with broader defence and export potential
OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 27, 2026 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is investing $10M CAD in Canadian-developed artificial intelligence technology to help modernize maintenance, training and workforce readiness for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)’s CC-130J Hercules Fleet.
The investment supports the development of the Intelligent Maintenance, Asset, Personnel and Learning Environment (iMAPLE)—an AI competency management platform being developed through a joint initiative between Lockheed Martin Canada, the RCAF and Contextere. Contextere develops AI-powered workforce solutions that transform institutional knowledge into actionable intelligence for the people who maintain, sustain, and operate mission-critical assets.
This investment contributes to the fulfillment of Lockheed Martin’s economic impact commitments associated with the CC-130J In Service Support program, while advancing technology that will support the fleet for decades to come.
Why It Matters
This unique collaboration brings together Canada’s defence industry, AI sector and the RCAF to deliver benefits aligned to Canada’s defence industrial strategy: modernizing how workforce competencies are matched to tasks, enabling AI-driven sustainment decisions that help improve aircraft availability, maintenance efficiency and overall fleet readiness, and advancing potential for broader applications and export opportunities.
Beyond its financial commitment, Lockheed Martin will also serve as a consultative Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning partner across all project phases, delivering validated machine-learning methodologies, quality reviews and knowledge transfer, as well as advising on designing, testing and optimizing AI components.
Supporting Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All, iMAPLE integrates human expertise, cutting-edge Canadian innovation and Lockheed Martin Canada’s deep understanding of the defence landscape to improve readiness, grow Canadian sovereign AI capability and meet Canada’s aerospace sustainment needs long into the future.
Expert Pespectives
“Today’s announcement demonstrates meaningful results for Canadians through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy. This partnership invests in a Canadian-developed artificial intelligence solution that supports the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CC-130J Hercules fleet. It is strengthening Canada’s defence capabilities, creating opportunities for Canadian workers, and helping grow a sovereign AI ecosystem with export potential. Canada’s government will continue to support Canadian innovation by building our domestic defence capabilities,” said the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement.
“Lockheed Martin’s investment in iMAPLE reflects a shared belief that the future of sustainment depends on connecting people, knowledge, and technology,” said Gabriel Batstone, CEO & Co-Founder, Contextere. “Together, we are building on Canadian intellectual property that supports our armed forces, strengthens our industrial base, creates opportunities for skilled trades, and showcases how Canadian AI can deliver value on the global stage.”
“This collaboration with the Royal Canadian Air Force and Contextere offers something truly special,” said Kristen Leroux, Vice President & Regional Executive for Canada and Latin America, Lockheed Martin. “We’re proud to be a part of the development of iMAPLE and to work alongside Contextere in support of our air force and the CC-130J fleet, demonstrating how Canadian innovation can build a sovereign defence and dual-use ecosystem right here at home.”
Additional Context
For decades CC-130 and CC-130J Hercules aircraft have been the workhorse for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, over $4.7 billion CAD in economic benefits has been delivered to Canada by Lockheed Martin, as a result of Canada’s purchase and associated In-Service Support of 17 CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
Aligned with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and Industrial and Technological Benefits policy, this investment delivers long-term economic benefit, building on Lockheed Martin Canada’s measurable impact in Canada. Over the past 5 years, Lockheed Martin Canada has contributed $3.6 billion CAD to Canada’s gross domestic product and supported an average of 4,561 jobs annually.
About Lockheed Martin Canada
Headquartered in Ottawa, Lockheed Martin Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, with over 85-years of partnership supporting Canada. Lockheed Martin Canada develops sovereign solutions that are exported from Canada to our allies, strengthening Canada’s defence industry and value globally. Over 1300 Canadian employees accelerate the delivery of all-domain mission capability, providing advanced software engineering, systems design and integration, hardware design and manufacturing, training and sustainment services. More information at lockheedmartin.ca.
About Contextere
Contextere is a Canadian AI software company that empowers industrial workers with real-time decision support at the point of work. Built for complex, regulated environments, its Madison platform transforms operational, technical, and workforce data into actionable intelligence that improves productivity, readiness, and equipment uptime. Contextere partners with Fortune 500 companies, OEMs, and governments to amplify human ingenuity and empower the world’s blue-collar workforce in the era of AI.
A good move with all three parties; as long as Contextere maintains Canadian IP rights.
Agree with Scott. What does LMC get for their investment? They are gobbling up firms that have Canadian IP.