Canada’s JUSTAS project gets new name
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF’s) Joint Unmanned Surveillance and Target Acquisition System (JUSTAS) project has moved into the options analysis phase and has been renamed as the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) project.
According to the RCAF, the name change is a more accurate reflection of how the systems are operated.
The RPAS project aims to provide an integrated long-range, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability. The platform will operate as part of a system-of-systems network and will provide near-real time information to tactical, operational and strategic commanders to support both domestic and deployed operations. It will also provide a precision strike capability to support operations when required.
The project will complement existing capabilities within the CAF, such as the CP-140 Aurora long range patrol aircraft.
The options analysis phase will allow for the formulation of options, assessment of cost and benefits, and development of a business case for the options.
The RPAS will provide an ability for surveillance of the maritime and northern approaches to Canada and support to search and rescue operations. The system will be capable of detecting, recognising, identifying, and tracking targets of interest in complex environments and integrating with the systems required to process and fuse the collected information into actionable intelligence.
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Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) [Canada]
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