The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], with its wholly owned subsidiary Insitu, has announced the first U.S. $25 million in contracts to Canadian companies as part of a government order for small unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV) services.

The Canadian government in April awarded a $30 million contract to Insitu, manufacturer of the ScanEagle SUAV, for services in support of the Canadian Forces’ intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in Afghanistan. Boeing agreed to match the contract value with dollar-for-dollar investments back into the Canadian economy through the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy maintained by Industry Canada. If the Canadian government exercises additional contract options, the contract could provide a total of nearly $61 million in opportunities for Canadian industry and universities. Boeing is on track to meet the Canadian government's IRB policy. To date, Boeing and Canadian businesses have signed several contracts tied to the ScanEagle program. Partners include:

• ING Engineering Inc. (Ontario, Northern Ontario, Quebec and Alberta): Unmanned vehicle systems field services
• MKS (Ontario): MKS Integrity software and consulting services for SUAV program life-cycle management
• NovAtel (Alberta): ScanEagle Global Positioning System