49North, a subsidiary of MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA) (NYSE: MDA), received a $3.7 million CAD contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to develop a Coalition Shared Database for Canada's Remotely Piloted Aircraft System program.

The contract adds to an existing $74.4 million RPAS agreement and strengthens 49North's position in Team SkyGuardian Canada, which includes General Atomics, CAE, and L3Harris WESCAM. The team is delivering 11 CQ-9B Guardian aircraft to the Royal Canadian Air Force by 2028.

The Coalition Shared Database will enable real-time intelligence sharing between allied nations using NATO STANAG 4559 standards. The system stores, manages, and distributes Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance data while maintaining individual national control over information.

Originally planned as a separate capability, the database was integrated into the RPAS program at the Royal Canadian Air Force's request. General Atomics selected 49North based on its coalition data-sharing experience, including work on the CP-140 program and implementation of Canada's and Australia's database interface for NOCTUA and NANKEEN Heron UAV programs in Afghanistan.

The system will be located in the main RPAS Ground Control Centre in Ottawa. Design, construction, integration, and testing will occur at 49North's Richmond, British Columbia facility, with delivery expected by August 2027.

"This award reflects the confidence that GA-ASI and the Royal Canadian Air Force have placed in 49North's C4ISR capabilities and our deep mission experience," said Joe Armstrong, President of 49North.

Dan Fritz, Senior Program Director at General Atomics, stated the contract "further strengthens the Team SkyGuardian alliance for Canada."

49North is also producing Certifiable Ground Control Stations, Combat Search and Rescue Radio software, and Automated Targeting Classification image processing for the Guardian program.