The Canadian Army, with support from the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, is announcing the launch of the first innovation challenge under the MINERVA Initiative - True north precision: Low-cost drones with laser ranging.
This inaugural challenge seeks to advance the development of innovative and affordable general purpose uncrewed aerial systems capable of providing accurate range, target cueing, and impact adjustment information. These capabilities will support indirect fire missions and enhance battlefield awareness for the Canadian Army by improving:
- situational awareness and decision-making;
- soldier safety and survivability;
- sensor-to-shooter integration for indirect fire; and
- operational resilience in harsh environmental conditions.
Development funding, up to $2.1 million in total, will be available to innovators to develop low-cost solutions for targeting and range finding using small drones.
The True north precision challenge marks the first milestone in a series of challenges under the MINERVA Initiative. These challenges will bring together defence and security partners from government, industry, and the Canadian Army to collaboratively develop, test, and mature emerging technologies to support military operations.
The Government of Canada continues to engage the Canadian innovation ecosystem to strengthen collaboration with industry and advance general purpose uncrewed systems. These systems are fundamental to Canada's national security, offering the persistence and responsiveness that complement land power capabilities while maintaining a domestically sustainable capability.
