Department of Public Works and Government Services (PSPC) - *Canada, Gatineau, QC
This appears to be an open Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) Challenge Stream opportunity sponsored by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Army. The challenge seeks a domestically produced, rugged uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in Arctic conditions. Key details: - **Opportunity:** MINERVA Initiative – Arctic Uncrewed Air System - **Procurement stage:** Phase 2 prototype development only - **Technology readiness:** Proposed solutions must reportedly fall between TRL 5 and TRL 9 - **Closing date:** September 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time - **Location/buyer:** Canada; administered through PSPC, with DND as the challenge sponsor - **Funding mechanism:** Contract - **Submission process:** The notice directs applicants to the ISC challenge webpage and the ISC Call for Proposals 004 for the application and submission rules. The proposed UAS must include an aircraft, sensor payload, ground control station, radio, battery and multi-battery charger, and a remote antenna located approximately 30 metres from the ground control station. The stated minimum operating requirements include: - Operating temperatures from **-40°C to +40°C** - Operation in winds up to approximately **55 km/h** - Operation in specified light rain or snow and moderate icing conditions - At least a **20 km operational radius** - At least **90 minutes of continuous-movement endurance** - Sensors suitable for the required surveillance and reconnaissance missions The description provided is truncated, so additional mandatory technical, domestic-production, testing, security, intellectual-property, proposal-format and evaluation requirements may apply. Amendments 001, 002 and 003 reportedly add questions and answers and instructions concerning attachments; these should be reviewed before preparing an application. This opportunity may be relevant to a Canadian business developing or integrating Arctic-capable UAS technology at the required maturity level, but the available information is not enough to determine whether any particular business or solution meets the requirements. Review the full official challenge notice, Call for Proposals 004, all amendments and the ISC submission webpage before submitting. Confirm the deadline, mandatory criteria and application method directly with the official sources.
