Dominion Dynamics, an Ottawa-based startup, is making strides in developing a domestic Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) tailored for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The initiative has garnered significant financial backing, including a grant of C$50 million from the National Research Council (NRC) and C$21 million from a seed funding round led by Georgian, a venture capital firm based in Toronto.
The company aims to complete a subscale prototype of a long-range weaponized ACP within 18 months. Robert Waye, the head of growth at Dominion Dynamics, emphasized that the aircraft is designed to fulfill the unique operational needs of the RCAF, with capabilities for takeoff from short, unimproved runways and extensive flight ranges into Arctic regions.
Currently, there has been no public announcement from the RCAF regarding specific requirements for an ACP, also referred to as a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA). Dominion Dynamics is collaborating with RCAF officials while developing the aircraft's concept of operations, which includes a simulation engine funded by the NRC to explore various operational strategies. Additionally, discussions are ongoing with multiple engine manufacturers, including Pratt & Whitney Canada, to enhance the aircraft's design.