MINERVA Initiative

MINERVA focuses on four categories of General-Purpose Uncrewed Systems (GPUS):

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Systems operating in the air that support reconnaissance, surveillance, communications, logistics and other tactical tasks.

Uncrewed Ground Systems (UGS)

Land-based systems designed to support surveillance, cargo movement, breaching and other operational requirements.

Uncrewed Littoral Systems (ULS)

Systems operating in coastal, inland water and littoral environments.

Enabling Systems

Supporting technologies including command and control, training, integration, sustainment, additive manufacturing and support systems.

All GPUS must be capable of operating effectively in Canada’s diverse and demanding environmental conditions.

MINERVA capability development activities are organized into three objectives.

Objective 1

Tactically Effective Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at Scale (GPUAS)

Focus areas:

• Reconnaissance and surveillance
• Target acquisition
• Strike
• Communications extension
• Cargo delivery
• Arctic operations

Objective 2

Tactically Effective General-Purpose Uncrewed Ground and Littoral Systems at Scale (GPUGS/GPULS)

Focus areas:

• Cargo transport
• Breaching
• Reconnaissance and surveillance
• Communications extension
• Fire support
• Specialist task

Objective 3

Enabled and Sustained Uncrewed Systems at Scale

Focus areas:

• Universal control systems
• Command and control integration
• Common training and simulation
• Common parts and sustainment
• Identification friend and foe (IFF) integration
• Survivability enhancements
• Technical support
• Additive manufacturing

MINERVA promotes early and sustained collaboration between the Canadian Army and industry, bringing operational users, engineers and industrial partners together from the earliest stages of capability development. This approach aligns with Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy: by contributing from the outset, industry helps ensure future capabilities are shaped by user needs, technical expertise and operational realities.

For how organizations can take part, including participation benefits and how to apply, see MINERVA Initiative innovation challenges.

Building Domestic Capability

MINERVA supports the development of systems built and sustained through resilient Canadian supply chains, strengthening Canada's defence industrial base and supporting long-term readiness.

Scaling and Diversifying Systems

The Canadian Army requires a range of uncrewed systems to support different users, missions and operational environments. MINERVA seeks solutions that are scalable, adaptable and sustainable at the tactical level.

Preparing for the Future Operational Environment

Future operations will increasingly rely on uncrewed and autonomous systems to improve situational awareness, support decision-making, reduce risk to soldiers and increase operational effectiveness. MINERVA supports the development of technologies capable of operating in complex and contested environments.

To move industry capabilities from early concept to a system soldiers can use. MINERVA draws on two established Government of Canada programs to support that progression at different stages:

Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)

Supports earlier-stage innovation, funding academia and industry to explore and test emerging concepts through challenges, contests and experimentation.

Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)

Supports later-stage development, helping mature promising Canadian solutions and move them toward validation and procurement.

Using both pathways lets MINERVA meet an innovation wherever it stands — nurturing early ideas while advancing those ready for the field.