49North Secures $3.7M Contract for Canadian Guardian Drone Database

The database will serve as a central hub for the 11 CQ-9B Guardian aircraft slated for delivery to Canada by 2028. By adhering to NATO STANAG 4559 standards, the system allows the military to process and distribute complex sensor data while maintaining national control over sensitive information. This integration was requested by the Royal Canadian Air Force to ensure the aircraft can function effectively within multinational operations.

Work on the system is scheduled for completion by August 2027. The project will be managed from the main Ground Control Centre in Ottawa, with engineering and testing taking place at 49North’s facility in Richmond, British Columbia. This award expands the company’s existing footprint on the $74.4 million RPAS program, where it is also responsible for ground control stations and automated targeting software. Joe Armstrong, President of 49North, stated that the project highlights the company's focus on high-assurance integration needed for modern, contested environments.