Vanguard Magazine

26 JUNE/JULY 2022 www.vanguardcanada.com PERSPECTIVE T eam SkyGuardian Canada is a collection of companies that are focused on delivering the world's most advanced long-range, long-endurance, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) for Canada. The team intends to take the industry leading RPAS, the MQ-9B Sky- Guardian that is produced by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA- AIS) and add the extraordinary technolo- gies of three established Canadian compa- nies: CAE Canada, L3Harris Technologies, Canadian subsidiary Wescam, and MDA. The Team SkyGuardian Canada partner- ship unites GA-AIS with these leading Canadian companies to deliver the world's leading RPAS platform for long term Ca- nadian jobs, across aerospace, defense, and unmanned systems. The Vanguard team hosted a round table discussion with guests from Team SkyGuardian including Michel Lalumi- ere, Director of International Strategic Development-Canada for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc, France Hébert, Vice President and General Manager, De- fence & Security (D&S) for CAE Cana- da, Cameron McKenzie, Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development, for Wescam Inc., Dr. Minda Suchan, Vice President of GeoIntelligence at MDA to discuss the Team SkyGuardian partnership and the key features of their RPAS that make it the perfect fit for Canadian needs. Q I'm just going to jump right into it with my first question for Michel. What are the key features that make MQ-9B SkyGuardian the right RPAS for Canada? Canada's requirements for our program are truly extensive, but there are several key features of the MQ-9B SkyGuard- ian that make it ideal for Canada. As we know, Canada is the second biggest coun- try in the world, with a harsh climate and environment. The MQ-9B SkyGuardian has long range and endurance and is go- ing to be certified as an all-weather system and aircraft. The MQ-9B SkyGuardian was designed and built as a single plat- form multi-mission system. We also know that Canada is committed to its partners. Therefore, interoperability is an essential feature. The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the only truly interoperable system. It is also agile, allowing it to perform at the multi- mission level. The certification effort for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian will provide the ability to operate in unsegregated airspace. And the final feature is cost. The ability to operate as a multi-mission system, is also being done at transformational, affordable acquisition and operating cost. Q France, I understand that CAE has been delivering its simulators and mission trainers for GA ASI aircra for many years. Tell me about your history in working with GA ASI. Well, in fact, CAE has over a decade long relationship with GA ASI with a number of customers worldwide. CAE has been GA-AIS' training partner of choice, pro- viding world class training and simulation products and experienced instructors on GA-AIS industry leading medium multi- tude, long endurance family of systems, including the MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft. Of particular importance, CAE and GA- AIS collaborated in the development of the predator mission trainer. The Preda- tor Mission Trainer features CAE's high fidelity sensor simulation, fully interactive tactical environment for end mission train- Sponsored Content TEAM SKYGUARDIAN CANADA UNITING CANADIAN CAPABILITIES THROUGH THE WORLD'S LEADING RPAS PLATFORM

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