49North is a Canadian defence company delivering secure, multi-domain C4ISR capabilities that provide decision advantage in complex and contested environments.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of MDA Space building on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defence delivery, 49North operates as a sovereign Canadian provider of mission-critical C4ISR systems, bringing disciplined prime-contractor execution to defence and security programs.
- Multi-domain C4ISR systems and integration
- Advanced sensing, radar, and data fusion technologies
- Long-term sustainment and in-service support
- Secure mission systems and defence-qualified electronics
- Autonomous systems
Press Release
MDA Space Launches 49North, a Canadian defence business delivering multi-domain and mission-critical capabilities
“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,” said Joe Armstrong, President of 49North.
Who We Are
Our Heritage
49North draws on more than five decades of Canadian defence heritage, rooted in the execution of large, complex, and mission-critical programs developed within MDA Space. This legacy reflects a record of delivery where engineering rigour, operational reliability, and national trust are non-negotiable.
These capabilities have supported expeditionary operations, maritime surveillance and command systems, advanced airborne sensing platforms, and long-term sustainment of critical defence assets across the Canadian Armed Forces and allied partners.
Our Mandate
A wholly-owned subsidiary of MDA Space, 49North focuses exclusively on defence and mission systems across non-space domains — including land, air, maritime, and joint operations — enhancing Canada’s readiness through sovereign systems integration, advanced sensing and autonomous technologies, and long-term sustainment of mission-critical platforms.
Our Mission
49North Defence strengthens Canada’s sovereign defence capability by delivering integrated mission systems and multi-domain C4ISR integration — enabling trusted Canadian and coalition operations, assured interoperability, and sustained readiness.
Our Leadership
Led by Joe Armstong, an accomplished Canadian defence and aerospace executive with more than 25 years of experience, 49North has an experienced management team with deep expertise in defence systems and technology, program delivery, governance, and long-term sustainment.
What We Do
Naval
Integrated C4ISR capabilities supporting maritime domain awareness, shipboard sensor integration, command and control systems, and operational decision support for naval platforms and missions.
49North delivers secure architectures and multi-sensor data fusion that enable coordinated operations across complex maritime environments.
Aviation
Mission systems engineering and secure software solutions supporting fixed-wing and rotary aviation platforms across defence and civil aviation environments.
Capabilities include instrument flight procedure design systems, aeronautical data management, and mission software integration enabling safe, reliable, and interoperable air operations.
Airborne Surveillance
C4ISR systems and mission software enabling persistent airborne surveillance, advanced sensing and radar integration, multi-sensor data fusion, and operational decision support across air and joint domain
Careers
49North offers the opportunity to work on mission-critical defence programs that directly support Canada’s national security.
We are building a team of experienced professionals who value accountability, technical excellence, and disciplined execution.
