EdC: Tell me about your RPAS team?
L3Harris: L3Harris has teamed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to offer a modified Heron TP Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), which we have named the ‘Artemis UAS’, to specifically meet and exceed the requirements of Canada’s RPAS program. L3Harris is the prime contractor for this team and one of the two bidders down selected by the Canadian government. Over the next couple of months we will be announcing other Tier 1 members of our Team Artemis, so stay tuned.
EdC: What are the unique capabilities that the Artemis solution brings to the table?
L3Harris: Team Artemis offers several advantages to our customer, beyond the impressive operational capabilities of the Heron TP. First and foremost, we are proposing a solution that is free from the influence of non-Canadian governments, both in terms of operational use and sustainment. We believe this to have been an influence in Germany’s selection of the Heron TP for its expeditionary operations. Secondly, we are tailoring the mission system to meet Canada’s specific mission and security needs. But perhaps most importantly, we will be creating high-value jobs in Canada for manufacture and assembly of the aircraft and for the development of the mission system.
EdC: How will Team Artemis meet Canadian government industrial requirements in terms of value and producing high-tech jobs?
L3Harris: By simply doing as much work as we can in Canada. As we approach the mission system, for example, we constantly challenge ourselves to find Canadian solutions for the design choices we make. Team Artemis has already done a cross-Canada tour to seek out the best companies, from Tier 1 partners to subcontractors and suppliers, from coast-to-coast-to-coast. We are committed to building a formidable pan-Canadian team, with small, medium and large businesses, to maximize the Canadian content of our solution. In fact, Team Artemis is exclusively positioned to maximize high-value Canadian jobs and technology transfer.
EdC: What other benefits to Canada does the Artemis solution provide?
L3Harris: In the defence world, we know that acquiring a capability is only the beginning. Complex defence equipment needs specialized care from companies that know the support business. As the RCAF’s premier In-Service Support provider, we at L3Harris have been supporting RCAF aircraft fleets for more than 40 years, including the CF-18, CC-150 Polaris, CP-140 Aurora, CT-114 Tutor and the CH-148 Cyclone. We understand Canadian airworthiness, both military and civil, maintenance, logistics, engineering, obsolescence, supply chain, and overall fleet management. With the long-term support of the OEM, IAI, as a key member of Team Artemis, we offer this proven Canadian support throughout the entire lifecycle of RPAS.
