Manned airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

Explore the procurement project for an aircraft to support the Canadian Armed Forces’ domestic and international operations.

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Project at a glance

Overview
Acquiring a new manned airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (MAISR) capability for the Canadian Armed Forces
Procuring
  • 3 Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft and associated mission systems
  • In-service support for a potential 22.5-year period
Status
  • Procurement 1: In December 2020, as part of the foreign military sales process, the 3 aircrafts have come off the Textron assembly line and were accepted by the US government. The 3 aircraft have since been delivered to L3 Harris to commence the mission systems integration work
  • Procurement 2: Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Department of National Defence, awarded an in-service support and maintenance contract to Team CERTAS, consisting of General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, from Ottawa, Ontario, and Voyageur Aviation Corporation, from North Bay, Ontario
Next steps
  • Procurement 1: Anticipate delivery of fully integrated aircraft in 2023

Project description

The MAISR project will be delivered through 2 separate but interrelated procurements.

Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy applies to both procurements.

Procurement 1

The first step involves the acquisition of aircraft, the acquisition and integration of prime mission equipment and training. Through the United States Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the Government of Canada is acquiring 3 Beechcraft King Air 350ER aircraft. In August 2020, the US government awarded a contract to the L3 Harris to begin the integration of the prime missions systems of the aircraft. The 3 aircraft are now with L3 Harris and are expected to be fully integrated and delivered to the Government of Canada in 2023.

Procurement 2

On August 31, 2020, following extensive engagement with industry, the competition was initiated with a Request for Proposal published on Buy and Sell to provide in-service support to maintain the new fleet of aircraft for a potential 22.5 year period. On May 13, 2021, the Government of Canada announced an initial 8-year in-service support and maintenance contract award to Team CERTAS, consisting of General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, from Ottawa, Ontario, and Voyageur Aviation Corporation, from North Bay, Ontario (estimated value of $72 million). Upon satisfactory performance, the contract could be extended for over 20 years.

Procurement progress and engagement

Significant industry engagement and consultation has been conducted since 2013, including various Letters of Interest to solicit industry feedback on how to procure the aircraft and sustainment services. The resulting strategy is to procure the aircraft and mission equipment with related support through a government-to-government agreement, and long-term in-service support to maintain the aircraft and associated systems through a competitive process.

Procurement 1: Acquisition of aircraft and mission systems with related support (via United States Foreign Military Sales program)

Procurement 2: In-service support strategy (via competitive process)

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