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.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) [Canada]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
![Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military]()
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
