49North Awarded $3.7 Million Contract for Canada's Guardian Aircraft Data System

49North, a subsidiary of MDA Space, has been awarded a $3.7 million CAD contract by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to design, build, integrate, and test a Coalition Shared Database for Canada’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft System program, according to a press release.

The database will support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Guardian aircraft program by enabling intelligence sharing with allied nations in near real time. The system follows NATO STANAG 4559 standards and allows coalition partners to store, manage, and access sensor data securely while maintaining national control of information.

Originally planned as a separate capability, the Coalition Shared Database was integrated into the RPAS program at the request of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It will be installed at the main Ground Control Centre in Ottawa, with design and testing carried out at 49North’s facility in Richmond, British Columbia. Delivery to General Atomics is expected by August 2027.

The contract expands 49North’s role in the Guardian program, which also includes work on ground control stations, combat search and rescue radio software, and automated targeting image processing systems.