The Canadian Army is turning to Canada’s innovation ecosystem to help shape the future of battlefield awareness, launching the first innovation challenge under its new MINERVA Initiative with a focus on low-cost drone technology for precision targeting and range finding.

Announced on May 21 with support from the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, the inaugural challenge — True north precision: Low-cost drones with laser ranging — aims to accelerate the development of affordable general purpose uncrewed aerial systems capable of delivering accurate range, target cueing, and impact adjustment information during indirect fire missions.

The effort reflects a growing recognition across modern militaries that small, adaptable drones are becoming indispensable tools for battlefield operations, particularly when paired with precision targeting capabilities and real-time sensor integration.

The Canadian Army says the challenge is designed to improve situational awareness and decision-making, strengthen soldier safety and survivability, enhance sensor-to-shooter integration for indirect fire, and maintain operational resilience in harsh environmental conditions.

To help move promising technologies forward, up to $2.1 million in development funding will be made available to innovators working on low-cost targeting and range-finding solutions using small drones.

The launch also signals the beginning of a broader innovation pathway under the MINERVA Initiative, which will bring together defence and security partners from government, industry, and the Canadian Army to collaboratively develop, test, and mature emerging technologies for military operations.

“The MINERVA Initiative reflects our commitment to equipping the Canadian Army with cutting-edge, cost-effective capabilities that deliver real results in the field. By harnessing Canadian innovation and strengthening partnerships across sectors, we are developing smarter tools that enhance decision-making and support our soldiers where it matters most,” explained the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence.

The initiative places particular emphasis on collaboration between industry and soldiers themselves, ensuring technologies are developed with operational realities in mind rather than in isolation from end users.

“We are investing in innovation that will redefine operational effectiveness and safeguard our soldiers on tomorrow’s battlefields. Through the MINERVA Initiative, we are accelerating the delivery of affordable, high-impact uncrewed system technologies — while shaping a more agile, collaborative, and forward-learning procurement partnership with industry. MINERVA will involve the soldiers, as the end users of the capabilities, and bring them together with industry so that solutions are grounded in operational reality,” stated Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army.

The Government of Canada says it will continue engaging Canadian industry and innovators to strengthen domestic capabilities in general purpose uncrewed systems — technologies increasingly viewed as essential to national security because of their persistence, responsiveness, and ability to complement land power operations while supporting a sustainable domestic industrial base.