Sask. creator of truck drone hopes for military contract
SASKATOON — Vehicle designer Don Bradshaw has created an "advanced generation of unmanned vehicle," a two-engine platform that can be controlled from a remote location to transport supplies, or to serve as front-line deployment in combat.
"Machines, of course, are expendable," Bradshaw said.
His dual-engine, diesel-electric "troop truck" was parked outside a Saskatoon conference centre Tuesday, to attract attention from potential business partners.
Bradshaw was attending a forum hosted by Enterprise Saskatchewan, an economic development agency run by the Saskatchewan government, bringing together representatives from the Department of National Defence, Industry Canada, and international contractors, such as Lockheed Martin — along with Saskatchewan companies, researchers and educational institutions.
The goal was to learn how these groups can work together in the defence sector, said Colleen Mackenzie, with Enterprise Saskatchewan.
A process called Industrial Regional Benefits provides smaller companies a chance to supply larger companies, says Bradshaw — which is where his work may fit into the larger defence contracts.
"The U.S. military is going to spend about $12.5 billion a year on robotic vehicles," he said. His own vehicle costs $130,000, without being outfitted with weapons, radars and robotics.
If his vehicle proves its worth, Bradshaw believes other "friendly, aligned nations" will want to use the design. He wants to partner with a local First Nation to manufacture the vehicle locally, but realizes that, to get his vehicles into the United States, he'd have to work through a larger, U.S.-based subcontractor.
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