On July 11, 2023, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, announced the Government of Canada will support, through the Strategic Innovation Fund, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada’s Centre of Excellence for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), located in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
With this C$10 million investment, General Dynamics will undertake mission system integration, testing and demonstration on the LX300 helicopter, a disruptive Canadian-made RPAS produced by Quebec-based Laflamme Aero, and is expected to create over 100 well-paying jobs in Sherbrooke.
Additionally, on July 7, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions announced a $2.5 million investment, through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative, for Laflamme Aero to produce the aforementioned LX300, the first Canadian-made RPAS in its class.
General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada is a global leader in the integration of advanced mission systems for aerospace and defence applications. This investment will position Canada at the leading edge of RPAS and will involve greater collaborations with numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and academic partners.
“Canada’s aerospace industry is a leading contributor to our economy and a driving force for innovation, and this deal with General Dynamics will also make us an innovative force for remotely piloted aircraft systems,” said Champagne.
“Thanks to this investment and the joint work of General Dynamics and Laflamme Aero, an innovative Quebec-based company, we are solidifying our global leadership in the aerospace sector, strengthening our economy and creating well-paying, high-value jobs for the people of the Eastern Townships.”
“By supporting GDMS-C, our government is helping to implement an important project that will have spin-offs in the Cantons-de-l’Est region and that will boost the growth of Quebec businesses,” said Pascale St-Onge, minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.
“In fact, GDMS-C can count on Laflamme Aero’s innovative products as it establishes its centre of excellence in Sherbrooke. By integrating into regional and global supply chains, homegrown SMEs ensure they can grow and reaffirm Canada’s leadership in the aerospace, security, and defence sectors.”
“Through these investments, we aim to leverage our world class intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology with leading-edge aerospace capabilities across the country and make Canada a leader in RPAS innovation,” said Joel Houde, vice president and general manager, General Dynamics Mission Systems–International
“We see RPAS as the future of aerospace, and we believe that Quebec, with its impressive aerospace hub, is the perfect place to be the foundation for this new and exciting initiative. Canada’s contribution to support General Dynamics’ Centre of Excellence in Sherbrooke, Quebec, is a testament to our aerospace expertise and its ability to transform the RPAS market on a global scale.”
