Montreal, Canada — July 15, 2026 — Octasic today announced its participation in NEXUS (National Experimental X-Domain Uncrewed Systems), an Espace Aéro initiative supported through the Government of Canada's BOREALIS program. Bringing together more than 30 industry, academic and research partners, NEXUS will accelerate the development of sovereign autonomous systems and related technologies for defence and security applications. The consortium has received $29.6 million in BOREALIS funding via the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program to develop and validate advanced capabilities over the next 24 months.
As part of the initiative, Octasic will contribute its expertise in advanced radiofrequency (RF) technologies, software-defined radio (SDR) systems and mission payload development to support the advancement of spectrum sensing and counter-drone (C-UAS) capabilities. Designed to strengthen situational awareness and improve awareness of the electromagnetic environment, these technologies will help address the evolving operational requirements of Canadian and allied defence and security organizations.
Modern operations increasingly depend on the ability to understand, monitor and operate within contested electromagnetic environments while addressing the growing challenges posed by autonomous and uncrewed systems. Through its participation in NEXUS, Octasic will further develop Canadian-made capabilities that enable organizations to detect, classify and respond to activity across the RF spectrum, helping transform complex wireless signals into actionable intelligence.
"The Defence Innovation Secure Hub will enable Quebec’s aerospace industry to maintain its position as a global leader in uncrewed systems while leveraging its expertise to support the Canadian Armed Forces in addressing critical needs,” said Mélanie Lussier, President, Aéro Montréal and Espace Aéro. “This is a tremendous recognition of the strength of our ecosystem and the attractiveness of the Espace Aéro innovation zone, which drives continuous innovation through exemplary collaboration among all local stakeholders."
"Canada has an opportunity to build and sustain sovereign defence technologies that address emerging operational challenges while reinforcing our domestic innovation ecosystem," said Sébastien Leblanc, Chief Executive Officer of Octasic. "Through NEXUS, we are combining our expertise in software-defined RF systems and spectrum intelligence applications with a strong network of Canadian partners to help deliver advanced real world mission capabilities that can transition more rapidly from research and development to operational deployment."
Strengthening Canada's Sovereign Defence Industrial Base
Canada's ability to develop and sustain sovereign defence technologies has never been more important. Through NEXUS, Canadian companies, research institutions and industry partners are collaborating to accelerate the development of critical autonomous systems capabilities while strengthening domestic innovation, intellectual property and supply chain resilience. By bringing together expertise from across the Canadian defence ecosystem, the initiative will help create deployable technologies designed to support Canadian and allied defence organizations while reinforcing Canada's long-term technological independence.
NEXUS will be anchored at YMX Innovation in Mirabel, Quebec, which is being established as an Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH) under the Government of Canada's BOREALIS program. Designed to provide a secure, mission-oriented environment for collaboration among government, industry and academia, the facility will help accelerate the development, integration, testing and validation of next-generation autonomous and defence technologies.
For Octasic, participation in NEXUS aligns with the company's commitment to developing advanced wireless intelligence and RF mission systems that support operations in increasingly contested and congested electromagnetic environments. As governments and defence organizations continue to modernize their capabilities, Octasic remains focused on delivering mission-ready technologies that provide greater awareness, resilience and decision advantage across the spectrum.
About Octasic
Octasic engineers the wireless edge of modern conflict. As a Canadian leader in advanced wireless intelligence solutions, Octasic delivers mission-critical wireless capabilities to national security organizations worldwide. Focused on Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW) and advanced RF operations, Octasic develops adaptable technologies that help customers detect, understand and respond to activity across the wireless spectrum.
Learn more at octasic.com and follow Octasic on LinkedIn.
