Defense systems integrator 49North (a wholly-owned subsidiary of MDA Space [TSX/NYSE: MDA]) has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kyiv-based defense technology developer UNWAVE to pursue the co-production, system integration, and long-term engineering support of Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
Announced on October 27, 2026, the industrial agreement operationalizes commitments established under the bilateral Joint Declaration on Enhancement of the Defence and Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine. The strategic partnership marries 49North’s 50-year legacy in Canadian C4ISR integration, complex program management, and In-Service Support (ISS) with UNWAVE’s combat-proven Electronic Warfare (EW), radio-frequency (RF) spectrum analysis, and signal-jamming modules. The initiative aims to scale domestic Ukrainian EW production, establishing hardened supply chains and long-term depot support to counter evolving Russian first-person view (FPV) strike drones, loitering munitions, and reconnaissance UAVs across frontline sectors.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: 49NORTH & UNWAVE C-UAS / EW ARCHITECTURE
Industrial Governance, OEM Partners & Strategic Alignment
⚡ Prime Systems Integrator: 49North (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada — Subsidiary of MDA Space)
⚡ Technology Partner: UNWAVE (Kyiv, Ukraine — EW and Battlefield Communications Specialist)
⚡ Strategic Policy Framework: Joint Declaration on Enhancement of Defence & Security Cooperation (Canada-Ukraine, Sep 10, 2026)
⚡ Operational Focus: Industrial scale-up of frontline EW jammer suites, RF spectrum analyzers, direction-finding (DF) sensor arrays, and modular counter-drone payloads
⚡ Program Scope: Joint production, rapid iteration engineering, system codification, and life-cycle In-Service Support (ISS) for deployment in Ukraine and allied export markets 
UNWAVE Counter-UAS Payload & EW Hardware Baseline
💥 Portable Signal Disruptors: “Patelnya” compact EW suites & modular FPV drone control-signal jamming architectures engineered to disrupt multi-band hopping RF links
💥 Wide-Spectrum RF Detection: Portable spectrum analyzers and active/passive RF signal detectors optimized for real-time identification of incoming drone control feeds and video telemetry
💥 Specialized EW Capabilities: “Vikha” directional EW disruption systems, modular jammer pods for vehicle/field placement, and high-gain directional antenna arrays for targeted suppression
💥 Multi-Domain Platform Integration: Co-developer of the “Terrikon-X” uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) EW carrier, providing mobile electronic shielding for maneuvering infantry units
49North Integration & Defense Engineering Capabilities
🚀 C4ISR & Digital Systems Architecture: High-reliability command-and-control software integration, sensor fusion, and secure digital communications interfaces
🚀 Legacy Military Drone/Sustainment Heritage: Operational lineage including the delivery and ISS support of IAI Heron MALE UAS for Canadian Armed Forces operations in Afghanistan, as well as ongoing ISR drone logistics support in Ukraine
🚀 Complex Defense Program Execution: Industrial scale-up, quality assurance, NATO-compliant systems engineering, hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) diagnostics, and international defense supply chain management
TIMES OF DEFENCE ASSESSMENT
The MoU between MDA Space subsidiary 49North and Kyiv-based UNWAVE reflects a key shift in Western defense assistance to Ukraine: transitioning from direct material donations to sovereign, co-developed defense industrial production. Frontline electronic warfare (EW) is defined by rapid technical iteration. As Russian uncrewed aerial systems continuously adjust operating frequencies, hopping protocols, and optical guidance links, counter-drone systems require dynamic software and hardware updating cycles to remain effective.
From an engineering and C4ISR perspective, combining 49North and UNWAVE provides distinct tactical advantages:
1. **Bridging Agile Frontline R&D with Mass Industrial Integration**: Ukrainian startups like UNWAVE excel at rapid, battle-tested hardware iteration—developing EW systems like “Patelnya” directly in response to electronic threat signatures recorded on the battlefield. Partnering with 49North allows UNWAVE to scale its production capacity using Canadian quality management, NATO codification standards, and global component sourcing pipelines.
2. **Hardened, Mobile Multi-Band Protection**: Deploying modular EW components co-produced by 49North and UNWAVE enables Canadian and Ukrainian forces to field multi-layer counter-FPV shields on uncrewed ground vehicles (such as the Terrikon-X) and mobile command posts. Fusing directional jammers with automated spectrum analyzers reduces RF power consumption while expanding electronic protection zones against swarm attacks.
3. **Long-Term In-Service Support (ISS)**: The primary point of failure for rapidly fielded dual-use technologies in high-intensity combat is logistics sustainment. Drawing on 49North’s experience maintaining military UAVs (e.g., Heron UAS) ensures that fielded C-UAS systems receive depot-level maintenance, software firmware updates, and component repairs, preserving operational readiness across extended deployments.
