Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 17 interview short-range UAS, the RQ-21A Blackjack. Similar smaller systems have been leased for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Ca- nadian Special Operations Forces Com- mand, while additional projects are un- derway to acquire a permanent solution. The CAF leased a Heron 1 UAS under Project NOCTUA, which conducted ISR in support of air and ground operations in Afghanistan. Canada's operating environment rep- resents some of the most challenging conditions for the successful operation of such a system. Recent technological advances have shaped available systems to the point where they align with RCAF requirements and justify such an invest- ment. The aim of the Remotely Piloted Air- craft System (RPAS) Project is to procure a new fleet of armed medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) remotely pilot- ed aircraft and related equipment capable of intelligence, surveillance and recon- naissance and precision strikes in support of Canadian Armed Forces operations. The system will multiply the effec- tiveness of our deployed forces and will complement existing platforms within the CAF. As a truly joint asset, the sys- tem will modernize our capabilities and bring us in line with our allies to better operate in coalition environments. Furthermore, the RPAS can be em- ployed domestically to augment the ef- forts underway for maritime domain awareness by monitoring our vast mari- time approaches, including the Arctic. The breadth of the RPAS capability is such that it is able to support all eight of the core CAF missions outlined in SSE. Q Canada seems caught on a single fleet solution to try and meet our demanding domestic surveillance needs for the Arctic and maritime approaches, and in supporting deployed ops. Most other nations with similar challenges have gone to mixed fleets to meet these needs, for example, RAAF Triton/ Reaper, US – Triton/Global Hawk – GA Reaper, NATO Global Hawk, Germany Eurohawk and some NATO members also operating Reaper, like France, Italy, UK, Belgium, Spain. As the country with the longest coastline and the largest landmass of all the western allies, why is Canada not looking to have strategic and tactical capabilities? Our previous studies into a remotely piloted aircraft considered a two-fleet solution to deliver an RPAS capability to Canada, but recent technological de- velopments have allowed us to pursue a single-fleet solution which delivers the necessary capabilities for Canada. Furthermore, the personnel, training, and maintenance requirements for two fleets of aircraft can be resource intensive. By selecting a single-fleet option, we have reduced the cost and are able to focus on delivering the greatest benefit for Canada. Canadian Armed Forces continue to uti- lize unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to address specific and urgent requirements on a tactical level, such as the Canadian Army's aforementioned short-range UAS, the RQ-21A Blackjack. Q Operating RPAS in Canada's Arctic, especially with the lack of access to bandwidth in the high Arctic and severe weather conditions will be quite chal- lenging. How do you plan to combat these challenges? Advancements in a variety of new com- mercial communications systems and managed bandwidth show promise to en- able operations in high-latitude regions. Other projects directed by RCAF will serve to enhance RPAS and other capa- bilities, which are required to operate in the Arctic. For example, Strong, Secure, Engaged MQ-9B SkyGuardian. Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical, Inc.

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