Military Space News
SPACEWAR
MDA Space forms 49North to expand Canadian defence capabilities
illustration only

MDA Space forms 49North to expand Canadian defence capabilities

by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 23, 2026

MDA Space has created a new Canadian defence subsidiary called 49North to focus on secure, multi-domain C4ISR and mission-critical capabilities that support national defence priorities outside the space domain. The business is headquartered in Ottawa and draws on more than five decades of Canadian defence delivery and prime contractor experience developed within MDA Space.

The company positions 49North as a provider of engineering discipline, operational reliability, mission assurance and program execution for large defence programs across land, air, maritime and joint operations. According to MDA Space, the same mission experience that has supported Canadian and allied operations for generations is now concentrated in 49North to serve current and future defence requirements.

"An addition to our well-known space capability, 49North is a natural extension and evolution of our commitment to provide urgently needed sovereign defence capabilities across all defence domains," said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. He said that by consolidating proven defence and mission-critical systems expertise in a dedicated organization, 49North is intended to enhance domestic industrial capacity and investment while supporting Canada's sovereignty, security and allied partnerships.

To lead the new organization, MDA Space has appointed Joe Armstrong as President of 49North. Based in Ottawa and reporting to Greenley, Armstrong is responsible for developing and delivering defence solutions that include multi-domain C4ISR integration, advanced sensing and radar technologies, autonomous systems, secure digital mission systems, defence-qualified electronics and long-term in-service support.

"These capabilities are foundational for operational readiness and effectiveness in complex environments, and essential to giving Canadian and allied forces the enhanced situational awareness and actionable intelligence they need to succeed," Armstrong said. He emphasized that 49North will focus on providing capabilities that strengthen decision advantage in complex and contested environments.

Armstrong brings more than 25 years of experience in the Canadian defence, aerospace and technology sectors to the new role. Before joining 49North, he held senior executive positions at CAE, including Chief Operating Officer for Defence and Security and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Incubation, where he had operational responsibility for a global defence portfolio serving military customers in more than 40 countries.

49North describes its mission as delivering sovereign Canadian defence capabilities centered on C4ISR and mission-critical systems. The organization integrates advanced sensing technologies, autonomous systems, secure digital mission systems, defence-qualified electronics, and provides long-term sustainment and in-service support of complex defence platforms across multiple domains.

Related Links
49North
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACEWAR
Vulcan rocket sends USSF 87 national security payloads to orbit
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 18, 2026
U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command and United Launch Alliance have completed the USSF 87 mission, launching a Vulcan Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 4:22 am EST Feb 12. The pre dawn liftoff marked the second National Security Space Launch mission to fly on ULA's Vulcan rocket under the NSSL program. The mission was directed by Space Systems Command's Systems Delta 80, also known as SYD 80, working with mission partners across the l ... read more

SPACEWAR
Leonardo DRS infrared payloads selected for SDA Tracking Layer Tranche 3

AST SpaceMobile secures role on MDA SHIELD defense architecture

Greenland is helpful, but not vital, for US missile defense

Netanyahu says Israel won't let Iran restore ballistic missile programme

SPACEWAR
Raytheon advances next generation short range interceptor with ballistic test

Russian strikes kill 4, wound two dozen in Ukraine

Japan and US agree to expand cooperation on missiles, military drills

Russia claims Oreshnik missile hit Ukrainian aviation plant

SPACEWAR
Drone attack on Sudan market kills 28: rights group

Drones, sirens, army posters: How four years of war changed a Russian city

Australian defence firm helps Ukraine zap Russian drones

Bitter cold complicates Ukraine's drone defence

SPACEWAR
Balerion backs Northwood to tackle ground bottlenecks in expanding space economy

Aalyria spacetime platform tapped for AFRL space data network trials

W5 Technologies LEO payload extends MUOS coverage into polar and remote theaters

Eutelsat orders 340 new OneWeb LEO satellites from Airbus

SPACEWAR
3 Surprising Ways Space Hardware Reaches Launchpads

Norway buys French bombs for Ukraine: ministry

Lockheed ramps up THAAD interceptor output with new framework deal and Camden facility

US to launch $12-bn critical minerals stockpile to ease China reliance

SPACEWAR
Canada launches huge defence plan to curb reliance on US

German foreign minister slams France over defence spending

BAE Systems posts record order backlog as defence spending rises

Ukraine, Norway, Sweden top destinations for German arms exports

SPACEWAR
French prosecutors announce special team for Epstein files

UK's Starmer urges 'sleeping giant' Europe to curb dependence on US

EU top diplomat rejects Europe 'bashing' by US as calls grow for a US reset

US to withdraw all troops from Syria: reports

SPACEWAR
Carbon fibers bend and straighten under electric control

Engineered substrates sharpen single nanoparticle plasmon spectra

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.