Sparrowhawk is Canadian UAVs’ portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system for integrating RPAS into an airspace picture. Radar processing detects and tracks non-cooperative aircraft, while ADS-B contributes cooperative traffic information; software and an API connect that picture to the operator’s mission system. CUAVs sells the system and provides integration and operating services. Drone Delivery Canada documents a purchase and FLYTE integration for its Care by Air route. Transport Canada’s live table lists Sparrowhawk DAA as a configurable element with SAD and PVD entries for Standards 922.10 and 922.12. This evidence strengthens the earlier company-reported milestone, but does not approve every aircraft, operator or mission. Counter-UAS early warning is an additional marketed sensing use; universal small-drone detection or defeat is not established.
Technical detail
Core features
Ground radar, radar-image processing and ADS-B fusion; “computer vision” in the NRC trial refers to radar imagery rather than a separate optical sensor.
Current vendor datasheet: pulse/magnetron X-band radar, 360° azimuth and 2.4-second scan. The 12 NM (22 km) detection figure assumes a 1 m² Cessna-172-class target; up-to-14-NM overview/scan wording is not a universal detection range.
API integration, fixed or vehicle-mounted deployment and single/networked installations. Published 42 kg and 68 kg weights require a configuration-specific explanation; neither is used as a universal system weight.
Current vendor sheet gives 300 W electrical draw and -25°C to +55°C operation; these are published configuration specifications, not independent all-weather acceptance results.
NRC’s 2020 RV-10 trial assessment could not derive probability of detection or false-alarm rate from the supplied processed tracks and identified maneuvering-related accuracy limits; it is historical evidence, not a current product rating.
NASA-sponsored Task 5 trials used a Grumman AA-5B at 1,500/3,000/6,000 ft AGL. The report identifies effective detection in its 3–10 NM band and degradation from ground clutter; results remain tied to that test setup.
ASSURE A68 documented well-clear performance in a radar-driven overtaking encounter and identified roughly 4.8-second minimum latency through its radar/UTM/aircraft path; this differs from the vendor’s local processing-latency metric.
Current TC listing: configurable element with SAD/PVD for 922.10 and 922.12; complete RPAS configuration, operating instructions and operator permissions remain necessary.
Situational awareness for infrastructure monitoring, public safety and defence flight services
These describe the reviewed application scope, not confirmed deployments, released requirements or procurement eligibility.
Evidence of maturity
Commercial system with a named customer integration, a regulator-listed configurable element and independently documented flight trials. The trials test specific targets, sites and data paths; historical results and vendor specifications do not establish a universal current performance envelope.
Commercial availability
System sales and integration/operating services are offered. Deployment depends on the selected radar configuration, aircraft/mission integration, site conditions and applicable operating permissions.
Integration and verification
Readiness
A technology readiness level is not established by the reviewed public sources.
RPAS operations and detect-and-avoid support centred on the portable Sparrowhawk ground system, combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B. The described sensing, control or communications function may support a configured monitoring system; autonomous mission approval and operational performance require separate evidence.
BVLOS reconnaissance and situational-awareness platform may help teams working on Sovereign defence capability areas by contributing to detection and situational awareness, autonomous and uncrewed systems, and aerospace operations.
This is a reviewed public-source assessment. It is not procurement eligibility, endorsement, customer interest, or classified demand.
Original sources 15 linked records
These records support this capability and its published Mission area and Defence need connections. A source count is not a count of independent confirmations.
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · technical tags
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · technical tags
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · summary
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · technology readiness level
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · summary
The current Sparrowhawk FAQ states that the delivered system is not tuned to track drones below 25 kg, that tuning can track smaller targets, and that defined counter-UAS capabilities remain subject to company research, testing and evaluation. This qualifies current military early-warning marketing; it does not establish a small-drone detection envelope or defeat capability.
Supports: Capability · technical tags
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · commercial availability
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · core features
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · name
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technical tags
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · defence applications
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · defence applications
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · name
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · core features
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · capability type
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · commercial availability
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · capability type
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technical tags
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · technical tags
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · technicaldomainslugs
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · defence applications
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Capability · summary
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Capability · maturity
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
Canadian UAVs markets Sparrowhawk as a portable ground-based detect-and-avoid system combining radar, computer-vision processing and ADS-B information to support BVLOS operations. Aircraft integration, airspace and operating conditions remain mission-specific.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
The current Sparrowhawk page describes ground-based radar complemented by 1090 MHz ADS-B, airspace-management software and an API for RPAS integration. It is commercially offered with training and installation support, while its FAQ explicitly requires separate operational permissions and jurisdictional radio licensing. ADS-B supplements detection; it does not provide universal coverage of non-cooperative traffic.
NRC discloses C$75,000 as a grant for Sparrowhawk radar-network cyber hardening, March 30, 2026–February 28, 2027. It describes Sparrowhawk as commercially available in single or networked installations; improved security and easier deployment are project objectives, not certified completed outcomes.
Canadian UAVs reports Sparrowhawk pre-validation under Transport Canada Standards 922.10 and 922.12 following ten years of development and 50,000 operational hours. These are company-reported scope and activity figures; component acceptance does not authorize every operator or BVLOS mission.
Supports: Capability · summary
Canadian UAVs reports Sparrowhawk pre-validation under Transport Canada Standards 922.10 and 922.12 following ten years of development and 50,000 operational hours. These are company-reported scope and activity figures; component acceptance does not authorize every operator or BVLOS mission.
Canadian UAVs provides deployable remotely piloted aircraft and intelligence services designed for long-endurance, beyond-visual-line-of-sight reconnaissance and situational-awareness operations.
Supports: Mission area · Autonomous Patrol and Monitoring
Long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft and aerial-intelligence services could support persistent monitoring; this is a derived fit and not a statement of CAF adoption.
Supports: Defence need · Sovereign defence capability areas
Canadian UAVs provides deployable remotely piloted aircraft and intelligence services designed for long-endurance, beyond-visual-line-of-sight reconnaissance and situational-awareness operations.
Transport Canada guidance distinguishes a configurable element from a complete RPAS declaration. Integration dependencies, declared configurations and operating instructions must be respected; a component declaration does not itself authorize an operator, airframe or mission.
Supports: Capability · core features
Public sources cited · Facts and assessments kept separate · Human review
Transport Canada guidance distinguishes a configurable element from a complete RPAS declaration. Integration dependencies, declared configurations and operating instructions must be respected; a component declaration does not itself authorize an operator, airframe or mission.
Supports: Capability · commercial availability
Transport Canada guidance distinguishes a configurable element from a complete RPAS declaration. Integration dependencies, declared configurations and operating instructions must be respected; a component declaration does not itself authorize an operator, airframe or mission.
Transport Canada lists Canadian UAVS / Sparrowhawk DAA as a Configurable element with SAD and PVD marks under 922.10 and 922.12. The remaining columns are blank. The row supplies no variant, approval issue date, operator, aircraft or mission authorization.
Supports: Capability · core features
Transport Canada lists Canadian UAVS / Sparrowhawk DAA as a Configurable element with SAD and PVD marks under 922.10 and 922.12. The remaining columns are blank. The row supplies no variant, approval issue date, operator, aircraft or mission authorization.
Supports: Capability · maturity
Transport Canada lists Canadian UAVS / Sparrowhawk DAA as a Configurable element with SAD and PVD marks under 922.10 and 922.12. The remaining columns are blank. The row supplies no variant, approval issue date, operator, aircraft or mission authorization.
The August-labelled datasheet page 2 specifies ground-based pulse/magnetron X-band radar, 12 NM detection for a 1 m² assumed Cessna-172 target, 2.4-second scans, ADS-B/radar fusion, API availability, 300 W electrical draw and a -25°C to +55°C envelope. Its 68 kg weight differs from the separate 42 kg sheet and the website FAQ; no variant identifier reconciles them. Page 1 up-to-14-NM marketing is not universal small-drone detection performance.
Supports: Capability · core features
The August-labelled datasheet page 2 specifies ground-based pulse/magnetron X-band radar, 12 NM detection for a 1 m² assumed Cessna-172 target, 2.4-second scans, ADS-B/radar fusion, API availability, 300 W electrical draw and a -25°C to +55°C envelope. Its 68 kg weight differs from the separate 42 kg sheet and the website FAQ; no variant identifier reconciles them. Page 1 up-to-14-NM marketing is not universal small-drone detection performance.
Supports: Capability · core features
The August-labelled datasheet page 2 specifies ground-based pulse/magnetron X-band radar, 12 NM detection for a 1 m² assumed Cessna-172 target, 2.4-second scans, ADS-B/radar fusion, API availability, 300 W electrical draw and a -25°C to +55°C envelope. Its 68 kg weight differs from the separate 42 kg sheet and the website FAQ; no variant identifier reconciles them. Page 1 up-to-14-NM marketing is not universal small-drone detection performance.
The NASA-sponsored Task 5 report describes Sparrowhawk testing at Starkville with a Grumman AA-5B at 1,500, 3,000 and 6,000 ft AGL, linear encounters and maneuvering patterns. It reports detection out to 14.26 NM for the tested 1 m² target model and detection probabilities above 75% in the 3–10 NM band, with degradation from ground clutter. The result is tied to the tested aircraft, environment and configuration, not proof of equal small-UAS detection or a current universal envelope.
Supports: Capability · core features
The NASA-sponsored Task 5 report describes Sparrowhawk testing at Starkville with a Grumman AA-5B at 1,500, 3,000 and 6,000 ft AGL, linear encounters and maneuvering patterns. It reports detection out to 14.26 NM for the tested 1 m² target model and detection probabilities above 75% in the 3–10 NM band, with degradation from ground clutter. The result is tied to the tested aircraft, environment and configuration, not proof of equal small-UAS detection or a current universal envelope.
Supports: Capability · maturity
The NASA-sponsored Task 5 report describes Sparrowhawk testing at Starkville with a Grumman AA-5B at 1,500, 3,000 and 6,000 ft AGL, linear encounters and maneuvering patterns. It reports detection out to 14.26 NM for the tested 1 m² target model and detection probabilities above 75% in the 3–10 NM band, with degradation from ground clutter. The result is tied to the tested aircraft, environment and configuration, not proof of equal small-UAS detection or a current universal envelope.
NRC examined a November 26, 2020 Sparrowhawk trial using a Vans RV-10 intruder and processed tracks. Computer vision analyzed radar imagery, not an added optical camera. Missing raw detections and filtered data prevented probability-of-detection and false-alarm estimates. Maneuvering reduced track accuracy. These historical configuration-specific results cannot be assigned to the current product.
Supports: Capability · core features
NRC examined a November 26, 2020 Sparrowhawk trial using a Vans RV-10 intruder and processed tracks. Computer vision analyzed radar imagery, not an added optical camera. Missing raw detections and filtered data prevented probability-of-detection and false-alarm estimates. Maneuvering reduced track accuracy. These historical configuration-specific results cannot be assigned to the current product.
Drone Delivery Canada reports purchasing Sparrowhawk from Canadian UAVs in March 2023 and integrating it with FLYTE at DSV Milton for Care by Air. Its later chronology records route-specific BVLOS/dangerous-goods authorization in June 2023. This corroborates a named customer purchase and integration; the route approval belongs to DDC and does not authorize all Sparrowhawk users.
Supports: Capability · summary
Drone Delivery Canada reports purchasing Sparrowhawk from Canadian UAVs in March 2023 and integrating it with FLYTE at DSV Milton for Care by Air. Its later chronology records route-specific BVLOS/dangerous-goods authorization in June 2023. This corroborates a named customer purchase and integration; the route approval belongs to DDC and does not authorize all Sparrowhawk users.
The company specification distinguishes up to 14.26 NM scanning from 12 NM detection for an assumed 1 m² Cessna-172 target. It specifies pulse X-band radar, a 2.4-second scan, 360-degree azimuth, ADS-B fusion and API integration. It gives a 42 kg weight; this is a document-specific vendor specification.
Transport Canada explains that a Pre-Validated Declaration covers an RPAS or configurable element for specified categories, following review and a Letter of Acceptance; a declaration must follow within two years and annual reporting maintains status. This process is distinct from blanket mission authorization.
Supports: Capability · core features
Transport Canada explains that a Pre-Validated Declaration covers an RPAS or configurable element for specified categories, following review and a Letter of Acceptance; a declaration must follow within two years and annual reporting maintains status. This process is distinct from blanket mission authorization.
Canadian UAVs markets contractor-owned/operated RPAS services and OEM platforms including Aerosonde and PDW C100. Its military sheet describes Sparrowhawk counter-UAS early warning and integration with other systems; this supports a sensing offering, not a demonstrated effector or independently validated small-drone defeat capability.
ASSURE A68 describes real Sparrowhawk radar data routed through Unifly to a SkyHunter in a Cessna L319 encounter. The documented overtaking encounter maintained well clear; ADS-B served as comparison truth, not the flight avoidance input. The report identifies radar/network position offsets and roughly 4.8-second minimum end-to-end radar-to-UTM-to-aircraft latency in the tested chain. These are integration-specific results, not universal radar latency or FAA product approval.
Supports: Defence need · Sovereign defence capability areas
Reviewer synthesis of the public end state: Canada can build, sustain or control priority aerospace, ammunition, digital, in-service support, sensor, space, specialized manufacturing, training and uncrewed capabilities through domestic strength, trusted partnerships and sovereign access.
Supports: Defence need · Sovereign defence capability areas
Canada needs secure strategic autonomy and reliable access to capabilities that are critical to defending its sovereignty and meeting allied commitments, while reducing exposure to foreign supply-chain and intellectual-property dependencies.
