U.S. Air Force to Conduct Extensive Assessment of RADARSAT-2 Capabilities

MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates Ltd, RICHMOND, BC.: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has been selected and authorized to start work on a US $9.5 million contract to assist the U.S. Air Force in an extensive evaluation of RADARSAT-2 capabilities. 
 
Under the 9-month contract, MDA is to demonstrate the applicability of RADARSAT-2 data to a wide range of current and future defence-related requirements, including maritime surveillance and intelligence applications. In addition, the assessment is to address the requirements and the concept of operations for a clone satellite flying in tandem with RADARSAT-2, which would open up a wider set of applications such as the creation of a global high-resolution terrain map. 
 
MDA president and CEO, Daniel Friedmann said: “This is an important milestone in furthering our relationship with the U.S. Air Force. This assessment of the applicability of RADARSAT-2 information positions us to grow in the U.S. surveillance and intelligence market through the provision of essential information.” 
 
MDA's contract is with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), who is acting as the international contracting agency between MDA and the U.S. Air Force. CCC is a Government of Canada Crown corporation, helping foreign buyers obtain goods from Canada and facilitating over $1.2 billion in exports each year. 
 
MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide. MDA employs more than 3,000 people in locations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TSX:MDA.