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49North Awarded $3.7M Contract from General Atomics to Deliver Coalition Shared Database for Canada’s Guardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Program

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NATO-standard solution will enable real-time intelligence sharing with allied nations

OTTAWA, ON, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – 49North, a wholly owned subsidiary of MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA) (NYSE: MDA), today announced it has been awarded a $3.7 million CAD contract by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to design, build, integrate, and test a Coalition Shared Database (CSD) for Canada’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) program. The award is a meaningful step for 49North as it continues to establish itself as a dedicated Canadian defence integrator, delivering sovereign capabilities that strengthen decision advantage in complex and contested environments.

This contract award is an addition to the existing $74.4M RPAS contract and further strengthens 49North’s role as a key member of Team SkyGuardian Canada, alongside GA-ASI, CAE, and L3Harris WESCAM, working to deliver 11 CQ-9B Guardian aircraft to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) by 2028. The Guardian is based on GA-ASI’s MQ-9B, which is on order or operating for a growing list of international defence and security forces.

The CSD is a standardized, secure, and networked system based on NATO STANAG 4559 standards, designed for multinational operations to store, manage, and distribute Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data. The system is designed to enable allied nations to share, search, and access heterogeneous sensor data in near real-time, facilitating a common operating picture while maintaining individual national control over information. The ability to be interoperable and have secure, multi-caveat-controlled real-time information flow with allies is a critical force multiplier for military operations.

Originally planned as a separate capability, the CSD was later integrated into the RPAS program at the request of the RCAF to ensure seamless operational performance. GA-ASI selected 49North to deliver the system based on its deep experience in coalition data-sharing and its ability to integrate complex systems within mission-critical environments.

Building on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defence delivery and prime contractor execution from MDA Space, 49North brings proven operational experience in coalition data-sharing solutions, including development work on the CP-140 program and implementation of Canada’s and Australia’s CSD interface for the NOCTUA and NANKEEN Heron UAV programs supporting the UN-mandated, NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

The CSD award is the latest in a growing portfolio of defence capabilities that 49North is delivering for the CQ-9B Guardian program, which also includes production of Certifiable Ground Control Stations, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Radio software, and Automated Targeting Classification image processing. Across these work packages, 49North is integrating advanced sensing technologies, autonomous systems, and secure digital mission systems—capabilities that reflect the company’s broader mandate to deliver multi-domain C4ISR solutions across land, air, maritime, and joint domains for Canadian and allied defence customers.

The CSD system will reside in the main RPAS Ground Control Centre in Ottawa, with design, build, integration, and testing conducted at 49North’s facility in Richmond, British Columbia. Delivery to GA-ASI is expected by August 2027.

This award further expands 49North’s scope within the RPAS program and reinforces its growing role as a dedicated Canadian defence integrator of advanced C4ISR capabilities—delivering the engineering discipline, operational reliability, and mission assurance that Canada’s defence modernization demands.

Quotes

“This award reflects the confidence that GA-ASI and the Royal Canadian Air Force have placed in 49North’s C4ISR capabilities and our deep mission experience. 49North delivers sovereign, mission-critical defence capabilities for Canada, and coalition data sharing is exactly the type of high-assurance integration where our team excels. Interoperability with our allies is essential to Canada’s defence posture, and the CSD will aim to ensure the RCAF can operate seamlessly in multinational environments.”
– Joe Armstrong, President, 49North

“We’re pleased to continue to build our partnership with 49North in the development and delivery of CQ-9B Guardian for Canada. This contract further strengthens the Team SkyGuardian alliance for Canada.”
– Dan Fritz, Senior Program Director, General Atomics

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the company’s current expectations regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the expected scope, performance and timing of work under the contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., including the design, development, integration, testing and delivery of the Coalition Shared Database, the anticipated schedule for delivery including expected completion by August 2027, the expansion of MDA Space and 49North’s roles within the RPAS program, the integration of the CSD into the broader RPAS system, the ability of the CSD to support interoperability and real-time intelligence sharing among allied nations, and the expected benefits, functionality and operational effectiveness of the system for the Royal Canadian Air Force and other defence partners. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by MDA Space and 49North in light of management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors they believe are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of MDA Space and 49North to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the “Risk Factors” section of MDA Space’s annual information form dated March 4, 2026.

Although MDA Space and 49North believe that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements. There are a number of additional risks and uncertainties affecting or that could affect MDA Space and 49North, which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those described in, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information included within this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, MDA Space and 49North are not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About 49North

49North delivers sovereign Canadian defence capabilities with a focus on C4ISR and mission critical systems, strengthening decision advantage in complex and contested environments. Building on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defence delivery and prime contractor execution from MDA Space, 49North brings engineering discipline, operational reliability, and mission assurance to large, mission-critical defence programs. 49North integrates advanced sensing technologies, autonomous systems, secure digital mission systems, defence-qualified electronics, and long-term sustainment and in-service support of complex defence platforms across land, air, maritime, and joint domains. Headquartered in Ottawa, 49North brings trusted defence capability to reinforce Canada’s long-term sovereignty and security.

www.49NorthDefence.com

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SOURCE 49North

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Kroll Launches Geoeconomic Risk Index to Quantify the Business Impact of Global Uncertainty

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New capability connects geopolitical and economic intelligence with Kroll data, analytics and expertise to assess impact on financial performance, risk and enterprise value

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kroll, the leading independent provider of financial and risk advisory solutions, today announced the launch of the Kroll Geoeconomic Risk Index (GRI), an authoritative headline measure that helps businesses and investors understand how geopolitical and economic risks could affect their operations, financial performance and value. The Index currently stands at 70.9 on its 0–100 scale, materially above its historical median of 50 and indicating significantly heightened geoeconomic pressure.

The GRI forms part of Kroll’s broader Geoeconomic Resilience Intelligence Platform (GRIP), which brings together external economic, geopolitical, market, policy and regulatory intelligence with Kroll’s proprietary data, analytics, modeling and expertise across valuations, risk and transactions. It is designed to go beyond monitoring events or identifying exposure by connecting developments in the external environment directly to the financial and strategic decisions facing individual businesses.

Through client-specific analysis, Kroll’s platform can assess how developments including tariffs, sanctions, regulatory change, conflict, supply-chain disruption and market volatility could potentially affect a business. The analysis can connect those developments to revenues, costs, cash flow, financing, deal economics, resilience and enterprise value, helping clients evaluate transactions, investments, operating plans and alternative scenarios. Clients can use the platform to examine an immediate event, stress-test a transaction, pre-emptively evaluate investment, compare alternative scenarios or monitor how changing conditions affect assumptions over time.

“Kroll is the first firm called when decisions are complex, contested or with material capital at risk and so the launch of the Geoeconomic Risk Index is a natural evolution for us. This new capability combines Kroll’s data and analytical technology with economic modeling and professional expertise, using AI to support evidence-led analysis. Together, this delivers unique insights that help clients make more informed decisions when operations, investments and capital are exposed to global change, and thus ultimately protecting people and deals while providing greater peace of mind,” says Jacob Silverman, Chief Executive Officer at Kroll.

“A significant external development rarely remains confined to one part of a business. Geopolitical and macroeconomic change is increasingly an input into financial decision-making rather than a separate risk discussion,” adds Matthew Corkery, Managing Director, Kroll Economics. “For a Chief Financial Officer, investor or board, knowing that risk has changed is only the beginning. They need to understand whether it changes the return on an investment, the cost of borrowing, the resilience of a business model or where capital should be deployed. Kroll sits at the intersection of value, risk and transactions, which means we can connect these questions rather than examine them in isolation.”

The Kroll GRI stood at 70.9 on 9 November 2026, 3.2 points above its October reading of 67.7, as heightened market-implied risk added to persistent energy pressure following the U.S. midterm elections.

It points to an important divergence: geopolitical, trade, commodity and energy pressures remain elevated, while broader financial conditions have so far been less affected. Following the U.S. midterm elections, financial-market volatility added to persistent energy pressure, sharpening the question of whether repricing remains contained or begins to affect credit conditions, investment plans and project delivery. Greater volatility challenges the resilience picture but does not itself establish tighter credit or weaker activity. Financing and investment are therefore immediate watchpoints.

For more information about the Kroll Geoeconomic Risk Index and Kroll Geoeconomic Resilience Intelligence Platform, visit: https://www.kroll.com/en/tools-and-platforms/kroll-geoeconomic-risk-index

About Kroll

As the leading independent provider of financial and risk advisory solutions, Kroll leverages our unique insights, data and technology to help clients stay ahead of complex valuation demands. Kroll’s team of more than 6,500 professionals worldwide continues the firm’s nearly 100-year history of trusted expertise spanning risk, governance, transactions and valuation. Our advanced solutions and intelligence provide clients the foresight they need to create an enduring competitive advantage. At Kroll, our values define who we are and how we partner with clients and communities. Learn more at kroll.com.

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SOURCE Kroll

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How Fibocom Helped Bring Suntek’s Robotic Mowers into Mass Production

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MUNICH, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a family garden, bare soil and fallen leaves can confuse a robotic mower’s understanding of the lawn. A low-hanging branch presents another challenge: detecting an obstacle is one thing, knowing how far away it is can be another. Across larger properties, reliable positioning and route planning become just as important as cutting the grass.

As electronica 2026 takes place in Munich, Fibocom and Suntek are highlighting the commercial progress of two robotic mower designs built on Fibocom’s established solutions: an entry-level monocular-vision model and a flagship combining stereo vision with RTK positioning.

For lawns up to 600 m², Fibocom’s monocular vision solution uses a single camera and AI algorithms to identify grass boundaries and obstacles, plan mowing routes and operate without buried perimeter wires. Its streamlined sensor design balances hardware cost, complexity and ease of deployment.

For larger, more complex gardens, Fibocom’s stereo vision and RTK solution adds depth perception and high-precision positioning. Stereo cameras capture spatial information about obstacles, including overhanging branches, while visual-inertial odometry (VIO) and RTK positioning support mapping and navigation.

Suntek’s flagship mower, powered by the Rockchip RK3576, integrates stereo cameras, RTK, an IMU and wheel odometry. It supports resume-mowing functionality and covers lawns up to 2,000 m².

Turning these capabilities into commercial products requires more than hardware integration. Fibocom supplies camera modules, algorithm boards, motor-drive boards and, for the flagship, an RTK board, alongside proprietary perception, positioning, navigation, path-planning and energy-management algorithms.

Real gardens also challenge algorithms in unexpected ways. Bare soil, fallen leaves, dark lines on the ground and thin dried leaves can interfere with lawn segmentation. Fibocom has refined its models through multiple rounds of training with challenging field samples, while improving back-and-forth mowing paths, missed-area mowing and resume-mowing logic.

Engineering support continues after production begins. Field feedback and operating logs inform root-cause analysis, software updates and validation, helping Suntek improve product performance in real-world environments.

Suntek’s monocular-vision mower has achieved commercial-scale deployment in Europe. Its stereo-vision and RTK flagship entered initial mass production in Q4 2025, with production continuing in 2026 and sales expanding into North America.

Mass production marks the beginning of continuous improvement through real-world use. As SUNTEK’s robotic mowers reach more gardens, Fibocom continues to support the company with proprietary algorithms, core hardware and ongoing engineering expertise, turning user feedback into improvements in perception, navigation and mowing performance. These refinements help SUNTEK deliver a more reliable user experience, earn user recognition and build market trust.

About Fibocom

Fibocom, founded in 1999, is China’s first wireless communication module company listed on both the A-share and H-share markets. Fibocom leverages wireless communication and artificial intelligence as its core technologies to provide integrated hardware and software solutions that empower industry applications. These solutions accelerate the transformation from “Connect Everything” to “Intelligent Connectivity” across diverse industries.

Fibocom’s one-stop solutions encompass cellular communication, AI, automotive, and GNSS modules, as well as AI toolchains, supporting industry-side and mainstream large model integration, and providing AI Agent, global connectivity, and cloud services, driving the digital intelligence upgrades in industries such as robotics, consumer electronics, low-altitude economy, intelligent transportation, smart retail, and smart energy.

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SOURCE Fibocom Wireless Inc.

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Climate Institute launches cutting-edge data tool tracking Canada’s progress toward building a clean economy

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Data tracker offers a new way to measure climate progress with dozens of leading indicators of Canada’s energy transition.

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 12, 2026 /CNW/ — The Canadian Climate Institute has launched a first-of-its-kind data visualization tool that provides a new approach to climate progress tracking in Canada using leading and lagging indicators of clean technology adoption and emissions reductions.

The tool–called the Climate Progress Tracker–was developed by the Institute’s 440 Megatonnes project using more than 40 indicators of the country’s transition to a cleaner, more competitive economy. It provides close-to-real-time data across five major signals of climate progress: electrification, clean energy, emissions progress, industrial performance, and the clean economy.

Tracking both leading and lagging indicators across these five signals makes it clear where efforts are showing promise, and where stronger policy is needed to accelerate Canada’s energy transition and build a cleaner economy. Some leading indicators show bright spots of progress as the country deploys and exports more clean technology. Broader trends are mixed or negative, however, with national emissions plateauing and insufficient progress being made on clean electrification–the foundation of a more resilient, competitive economy.   

KEY FINDINGS

Among the positive findings: the tracker shows the country’s electric vehicle market share has nearly doubled over the past year and a half, reaching 13 per cent this August. That’s up from just 7 per cent in February 2025, following a crash in sales due to a rollback in government support. Wind and solar power capacity has grown by nearly 7 gigawatts since 2020, an increase of more than 40 per cent. Battery storage capacity has ramped up more than sixfold since 2020, rising to almost 900 MW in January 2026.

Clean technologies are growing in other ways. Clean tech exports have grown by nearly 1.8 times their 2020 levels in 2026. The share of made-in-Canada clean tech has also grown, up 11 per cent since 2020, with 81 per cent of the share of Canada’s clean technology market now supplied by domestically manufactured products rather than imports in August 2026.

Yet overall trends show Canada facing headwinds in its energy transition. Electricity is not yet growing as a share of the country’s energy use, though that could change as governments follow through on a commitment to double Canada’s electricity supply. The country’s power grids are also not getting cleaner in general. Although wind and solar power has grown, some hydro and nuclear power have come offline temporarily, and gas-fired power has filled that gap. As a result, the share of non-emitting power generation in August 2026 dropped 6 percentage points from the same month in 2020.

Likewise, Canada continues to make limited progress reducing emissions. The tracker provides a broader picture of climate progress by pairing leading indicators with new monthly emissions estimates that are tallied in near real time, with just a three-month delay. That can provide a preliminary look at emissions six months ahead of the Institute’s annual Early Estimate of National Emissions, and more than a year before official government numbers are released.

The latest data on the tracker show that Canada’s emissions appear to be plateauing: after a slight increase in 2025, emissions decreased slightly in the first half of 2026. However, that decrease still leaves Canada far from achieving its climate targets. 

Tracking leading and lagging indicators of progress is a growing practice globally as governments, investors, and analysts seek more current, data-driven signals to inform decision making. Similar frameworks have been adopted by climate councils in the UK, Sweden, and Australia; by publicly available platforms like the Systems Change Lab and Ember; and by many private sector firms tracking capital flows and energy system trends.

The 440 Megatonnes team will continue to develop new indicators in the year ahead, including measures of clean investment. Ultimately, the new interactive tool is meant to provide a more actionable view of Canada’s progress towards decarbonization, showing where governments can prioritize efforts and investment to ensure future progress aligns with commitments.

QUOTES

“Canada’s climate progress is about more than just emissions–it’s about a broader transition to clean, electric technologies that are remaking global energy markets in real time. Our Climate Progress Tracker is the only tool of its kind in Canada to offer a broader picture of this progress with easy-to-use data and visualizations showing how the country is building a cleaner economy across sectors.”

— Rick Smith, President, Canadian Climate Institute

“The Climate Progress Tracker is an interactive way for people to access a wide range of data showing how Canada is transitioning to a cleaner economy–from electric vehicle and heat pump sales to detailed emissions estimates that are available nowhere else. It’s a one-stop-shop for energy experts, policymakers, journalists and others interested in Canada’s progress adopting clean technologies using dozens of the latest graphs and charts profiling the energy transition.”

— Ross Linden-Fraser, Acting Director, 440 Megatonnes

RESOURCES

Data tool | Climate Progress TrackerInsight | Introducing the Climate Progress TrackerInsight | Early estimate finds that Canada’s emissions increased in 2025 as clean electrification laggedInsight | Canada is now more than 20 years behind its 2030 target, with net zero nowhere in sight

About the Canadian Climate Institute 

The Canadian Climate Institute is Canada’s leading climate change policy research organization. The Institute produces rigorous analysis, economic modelling, and in-depth research focused on incentivizing clean economic growth and low-carbon competitiveness, reducing emissions and accelerating Canada’s net zero energy transition, and making our economy and infrastructure more resilient to a warming climate.

climateinstitute.ca

SOURCE Canadian Climate Institute

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