MacDonald Dettwiler and Associations Ltd. (TSX:MDA) took the wraps off Friday on two new mobile satellite ground stations that will allow Canadian armed forces to get detailed satellite images for combat and peacekeeping missions, as well as natural disasters.
MDA built the two new mobile satellite stations – called Joint Space Support Project (JSSP) – under a $30 million contract with the Department of National Defence.
MDA was also awarded a $10.8 million, five-year operational contract, with options for renewal for another three years for $6.3 million.
Each of the two JSSP systems includes a large satellite receiving dish, diesel generator and mobile command centre housing servers and computers.
The systems can be flown to disaster areas, combat zones or peacekeeping regions on Hercules transport planes.
The systems receive images from eight commercial satellites, including Canada’s two RADARSAT satellites.
Satellite images that are downloaded by the JSSP stations can then be put onto DVDs or USB sticks for use in the field.
“Satellite technologies are one way in which we can provide the ability to our armed forces to get a clear picture of the environment that they are working in,” Kerry-Lynne Findlay, associate minister of National Defence and MP for Delta-Richmond East, said at a press conference Friday at MDA’s headquarters in Richmond.
“In theatre, access to dependable, timely and accurate visual information is critical.”
