CASR

Canadian
American
Strategic
Review

Canadian Forces Mini UAV Project  –  Industry News Release  –  Sept 2006 Thales Canada  —  News Release  —  CU-168  Skylark  Mini UAV The Canadian Forces has experimented with several  mini UAV types (including the ACR CU-167 Silver Fox which was a participant in DND's ALIX tests in Atlantic Canada during August 2005).  In  March 2006, an  Immediate Operational  Requirement was issued for five Elbit CU-168 Skylark  mini UAVs (along with options on 5 additional  Skylark air vehicles) for use in  Afghanistan  by  summer of  2006. Although the two different air vehicles and ground control systems are produced by different manufacturers, both CF  mini UAV projects are managed  by Thales Canada. Officially the 'Skylark Mini-UAV System Program' –  managed  by  Thales Canada, Systems Division   –  Skylark  is the CF's first operationally-deployed mini UAV. In November 2005, a  DND backgrounder on equipment for  OP Archer listed a contest for 10 mini UAVs.  Separate  from the IOR purchase, it's unclear whether the contest continues or failed  to pass the Harper government's 2006 defence project moratorium. A Thales Canada press release detailing features of  the Elbit Skylark system follows. Thales Silver Fox UAV Press Release Ottawa, September 27, 2006 THALES' UAV SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE Thales Canada has been selected by the Department of National Defence Land Forces to deliver a  mini-UAV system  based on  Elbit's  Skylark  technology.  Thales Canada had already been selected  by  the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre (CFEC) for the Silver Fox UAV in 2004. Virtually undetectable, with its steerable payload (stabilized to provide excellent video quality) and modular design  (allows for other  payloads  to meet  Intelligence, Surveill- ance and Reconnaissance requirements), Skylark offers a very flexible and resourceful system which will provide invaluable "over the hill" visibility  to the soldier. Driven by an electrically powered  motor, it has a flight endurance of  up to 90 minutes. Designed to be soldier-friendly and highly portable, the Skylark integrates three air vehicles into one backpack and has a ruggedized ground station and communications antenna. Thales Canada,  Systems Division,  currently  manages  two UAV fleets  for  DND. The Silver Fox UAV, from  Advanced Ceramics Research,  provided to CFEC,  is a modular high performance  small  UAV to evaluate concepts. With a payload of 4 Kg, an endur- ance of at least 8 hours and equipped with a specially engineered gasoline engine, this system has been used by each of the three services to explore UAV use. Thales Canada, Systems Division, caters to DND requirements for Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles.  Critical to the role of  performing as a Prime Contractor is understanding the customer's requirements  and  then  matching  the best components, including  the air vehicle, to provide the premium  (value and capability)  solution. Thales is [also]  the Prime Contractor for the UK  Watchkeeper UAV program, and has recently been awarded a contract  by the French defence procurement agency  [ DGA, or  la délégation générale pour l'armement ]  to examine armed  UAV concepts.