Advocacy / Member News
January 9, 2013

MDA awarded $706 million contract to build three radar satellites

RICHMOND, BC, Jan. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, today announced the signing of a $706 million contract with the Canadian Space Agency to build, launch and provide initial operations for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). The contract is expected to extend over a period of seven years and brings MDA's current backlog to approximately $2.9 billion.

"This is exciting news," said Daniel Friedmann, MDA's president and CEO. "RCM builds on the world-leading geospatial and radar surveillance capabilities that MDA has developed through the RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 missions. We are now greatly expanding these capabilities with benefits for Canada and for MDA."

RCM is a constellation of three satellites providing around-the-clock coverage. Information obtained from RCM can include repeat imaging of the same area at different times of day, dramatically improving the frequency of monitoring coastal zones, northern territories, Arctic waterways and other areas of strategic and defence interest. RCM will also incorporate automated identification system technology, which when combined with the powerful radar images, supports the immediate detection and identification of ships worldwide.

Already a leading supplier of radar-based surveillance and security, MDA's service offering is expected to expand as it leverages RCM's repeat imaging capabilities. The information provided by the RCM satellites will enable MDA to meet a larger range of recurring monitoring needs in growing market segments such as oil and gas, mining, defence and security, well into the next decade. "Demands in these operational segments are driven by the ability to provide frequent, reliable information. RCM's all-weather, day-and-night satellites will help us meet this demand," said Friedmann.

"This is a major step forward for MDA as a leader in the growing global surveillance and intelligence market" said Friedmann. "With this contract, MDA has a strong foundation for continued development of its space missions, satellite ground systems, radar payload and geospatial services businesses."

About MDA

MDA is a unique global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA's well-established global customer base is served by more than 5,000 employees operating from 18 offices located in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

The Company's common shares trade under the symbol TSX:MDA.

About CADSI

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is the national industry voice of more than 650 Canadian defence, security and cybersecurity companies that produce world-class goods, services and technologies made across Canada and sought the world over. The industries contribute to the employment of more than 78,000 Canadians and generate $12.6 billion in annual revenues, roughly half of which come from exports. To learn more, visit defenceandsecurity.ca and follow us on Twitter at @CadsiCanada .

Please direct all media inquiries to the media@defenceandsecurity.ca
Media Inquiries

Please direct all media inquiries to:

[email protected]

Tel: +1 613-235-5337 x43

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries

251 Laurier Ave. West, Suite 300 Ottawa, ON, K1P 5J6

media inquiries to the media@defenceandsecurity.ca
Media Kit

Learn more about CADSI and our Members in this Media Kit

Download the media kit