Canada is going small in its fight against drones, with a new missile system weighing about as much as a standard laptop.
Developed by Calgary-based North Vector Dynamics, the CM-70 is a lightweight precision-guided weapon designed to intercept aerial threats.
It measures 35.4 inches (0.9 meters) long and can reportedly engage targets up to 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) away while traveling at speeds of 900 kilometers (559 miles) per hour.
The missile features a forward-firing warhead intended to focus its blast in front of the missile as it approaches a target, increasing the chance of hitting small drone threats.
It employs semi-active laser guidance technology so it can home in on targets without relying on GPS or radio signals that could be detected by enemy systems.
The CM-70 can be launched from ground positions, vehicles, or airborne platforms, giving operators multiple options for defending critical sites and deployed forces.
“As the global security environment continues to evolve, we have an opportunity to invest in technologies developed right here at home that strengthen our industrial base,” the company stated on social media.
Solving the Drone Cost Problem
As drone threats become more advanced, they often remain far cheaper than the air defense systems used to counter them.
Traditional interceptors, such as the US-made Patriot missile, can cost millions of dollars per unit, creating a costly exchange ratio when used against relatively inexpensive drones.
North Vector Dynamics said the CM-70 is designed to address that imbalance by providing a more cost-conscious option for defeating smaller aerial threats while complementing larger air defense systems.
The company envisions the interceptor being used against drones such as Iran’s Shahed and Russia’s Geran systems, which have become widely used in recent conflicts.
