MINERVA Initiative

The MINERVA Initiative is leading the way on forging a better, more collaborative procurement effort. It is a deliberate and evidence-based approach that brings soldiers, engineers, and industrial partners together at the first stage of the capability development process. Through MINERVA, Canadian companies are provided access to real operational environments to test, validate, and refine their technologies while strengthening Canada’s sovereign and robust defence industrial base.

This approach is completely aligned with the Defence Industrial Strategy’s approach that allows the industrial sector to understand the CA requirements and contribute directly to system concepts and designs from the initial phase of development. By combining real user feedback, field testing, and engineering expertise, the resulting capabilities are better positioned to support the CA over the long term.

Scope of General Purpose Uncrewed Systems (GPUS)

GPUS fall into the following categories:

• Aerial systems– uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS); 
• Land-based systems– uncrewed ground systems (UGS);
• Littoral systems– uncrewed littoral systems (ULS); and  
• Enabling systems relevant to all GPUS, including sustainment, control, integration, and support technologies

All GPUS acquired by the CA—whether aerial, ground, or littoral—must be capable of operating effectively in Canada’s diverse and demanding environmental conditions.

The MINERVA Initiative is directed by a series of core principles that inform capability development, acquisition, and long-term sustainment.

Pre-establishing access to domestic resources

GPUS will be acquired through flexible and continuous procurement methods. These systems are to be developed and built domestically, supported by resilient supply chains capable of withstanding global disruptions while strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base.

Scaling and diversifying systems

The CA utilizes a wide range of GPUS tailored to facilitate operations in response to various potential threats and conditions. These systems enable all types of tactical tasks for the diverse types of users at the tactical level. These devices are scaled such that an uncrewed system increases combat power and/or soldier survivability across all missions. These systems are sustained as near to the tactical edge as possible through the prospective application of technologies like additive manufacturing.

Achieving dominance on the future battlefield

The CA engages in combat, supported by UxS to achieve dominance of the future battlefield. EM-hardened and autonomous GPUS are deployed in the shaping, decisive, and sustaining phases of the battle to locate and defeat the command and control, sensors, and fire support systems of the enemy. Assaulting units are supported by fire from UxS, and commanders are rapidly informed of enemy activities through networked and automated reporting. Sustainment is conducted rapidly at the tactical edge to maintain momentum and enable UxS to provide sustained stand-off from the enemy during consolidation.