Applications open for Attritable Interceptors Program (Canada)

The presence of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) has significantly proliferated in military contexts. UAS are used for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, delivering kinetic effects and increasingly undertaking an airborne interceptor role in Counter-UAS (C-UAS) operations. These UAS are built according to the principles of manufacturing by design, ease of user experience, flexibility of uses, and have cost structures that render them attractable, allowing them wide, rapid proliferation. They are fundamentally seeking designs that strive for frugality in unit cost and design.

Funding Information

• Maximum Funding: $150,000.00 CAD.
• Project Duration: Up to 6 months.

Expected Outcomes

• The proposed solution must:
  • Demonstrate the ability to intercept and interdict a target UAS at a militarily useful range and altitude. Though military utility will depend on the use case and specialty envisioned for the innovation, in all cases, this must be able to engage at minimum from launch to 3km in range and 2000ft AGL.
  • Be able to cruise at a speed up to 150km/h, achieve speeds up to or above 200km/h, maintain controlled flight at a speed of 75km/h.
  • Adhere to design principles of interchangeable parts and manufacturing for design, which make the innovation readily conducive for scalable mass production.
  • Respond to the issue of shot cost exchange offering a C-UAS interception capability at a price that is attractable with respect to its intended target. The UAS must not exceed a 10x cost ratio of its intended target (e.g. an innovation envisioned to cost $100k per unit must not be designed to interdict targets that cost $1k per unit to field).
  • Be designed according to principles of user-centricity so that the system can be easily used (or learnt) by non-specialists.

Eligibility Criteria

• Solution proposals can be submitted by a business that meets all of the following criteria:
  • for profit
  • incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
  • small and medium sized business with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees or large business with 499 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
  • research and development activities that take place in Canada
  • 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada
  • 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work
  • 50% or more of its senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence

For more information, visit Government of Canada.