KWESST
Bold Innovations in Military Defense Software and Equipment
This KWESST Micro Systems profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Overview
KWESST Micro Systems (TSXV:KWE) is a technology company focused on developing intelligent tactical systems with military applications. The company’s goal is to become an industry-leading software and equipment company, targeting the modern needs of militaries and homeland security specialists.
KWESST Micro Systems is working to develop products designed for large operational requirements in the military, including systems designed for future drone and tactical counter-drone technologies. The company’s products are based on its proprietary Micro Integrated Systems Technology (“MIST”), which is a collection of sensors, optics, ballistics and software capable of enabling additional mission capabilities.
KWESST Micro Systems’ MIST platform has the potential to be applied to situational awareness systems, drone threat prevention systems, tactical laser systems and firearm tracking technology.
Thanks to a Notice of Allowance issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in October 2020 for the company’s patent application covering its PhantomTM electronic battlefield decoy, the company is one step closer to achieving its goal.
The platform addresses the needs required for miniaturized electronic decoys that soldiers or drones can deploy in contested areas of operation in order to prevent the opposition from locating NATO forces.
Also in October 2020, the company completed the second of three phases of its Tactical Awareness and Situational Control System (TASCS) and Integrated Fires Module (IFM) for a US military customer. This phase demonstrated that KWESST’s TASCS IFM had greater accuracy and faster response times on indirect fire systems like mortars, improving soldier survivability and operational effectiveness.
On the heels of this, KWESST was upgraded to “USA Partner” for SAMSUNG Electronics America, which will help the company deploy its SAMSUNG S20TE smartphone in its production version of the TASCS in addition to its IFM for networked targeting on soldiers’ weapons.
KWESST Micro Systems’ Company Highlights
- Aiming to become a leading developer of software and equipment for military and security uses
- Proprietary Micro Integrated Systems Technology (“MIST”) system has the power to enable new mission capabilities
- TASCS software package can be integrated into existing small weapons systems
- Has completed the second of three phases for its TASCS and IFM for a US military customer
- DroneBullet technology is capable of identifying an enemy drone and sending a miniature surface-to-air missile in order to mitigate the threat
- Tactical Laser Defense system is capable of jamming opposing optimal weapons systems or interfering with the eyesight of enemy combatants
- Shot Counter can also be added on to existing weapons, allowing militaries to track and optimize shots fired from a particular firearm
- Received Notice of Allowance from the USPTO for its PhantomTM electronic battlefield decoy system
- Upgraded to “USA Partner” with SAMSUNG Electronics America, which will allow the company to employ its SAMSUNG S20TE smartphone in its production version of the TASCS in addition to its IFM for networked targeting on soldiers’ weapons
- Management team has a long track record of success, including experience in the global defense and security market
KWESST Micro Systems’ MIST System
KWESST Micro Systems’ proprietary Micro Integrated Systems Technology (“MIST”) is an integrated system of sensors, optics, ballistics and software that enables new capabilities for soldiers in a number of unique situations including targeting, drone combat, laser defense and weapons optimization.
Tactical and Situational Awareness System “TASCS”
KWESST Micro Systems’ Tactical and Situational Awareness System (TASCS) is a software package that can be integrated or added on to small weapons systems commonly carried by soldiers to enable precise networked surveillance and targeting on a wide range of technical platforms. The technology has the potential to provide targets beyond traditional line-of-sight targeting systems, proving the potential for soldiers to identify targets they cannot see directly. KWESST Micro Systems’s TASCS software can be used as an add-on for drones and counter-drone original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well.
Using TASCS, operators have the capability to “mark” areas or persons of interest which can then be shared with other reconnaissance technology such as drones or scoping imagery to confirm the areas or persons of interest. In December of 2019, KWESST Micro Systems signed a development contract to incorporate TASCS into a networked soldier Heads Up Display (HUD) system.
The company completed the second of two phases in October 2020 for a US military customer, which showed that its TASCS IFM had better accuracy and quicker response times on indirect fire systems, including mortars, improving soldier survivability and operational effectiveness.
Drone Threat & Counter Solution – DroneBullet TM
KWESST Micro Systems’ patented drone threat and counter-drone solution DroneBullet ™ is capable of autonomously tracking and neutralizing an enemy drone from any detection source. The technology can be applied as an add-on to existing drone and counter-drone OEMs.
KWESST Micro Systems’ counter-drone technology DroneBullet is a kinetic and integrated counter-drone system capable of launching a miniature ground-to-air missile designed to intercept enemy drones or aerial vehicles.
Tactical Laser Defeat System
KWESST Micro Systems’ Tactical Laser Defeat System is designed to provide an effective countermeasure for NATO forces, allowing soldiers to emit a high-powered laser that is capable of destroying optical devices or blinding enemy soldiers.
Shot Counter
KWESST Micro Systems’ shot counter technology is a software platform with a sensor that enables soldiers to track the shots fired from that specific firearm in order to improve operational performance and conduct routine maintenance. KWESST Micro Systems intends to offer its world-first shot counter technology through a recurring software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model.
KWESST Micro Systems’ Management Team
Jeff MacLeod—Founder, President, CEO and board member
Former Canadian RCEME officer, served as System Engineer for three Major Army Crown Projects before moving to the private sector. Nineteen years experience as General Manager of Diemaco / Colt Canada. Expert in the Small Arms and Soldier Systems field as well as all aspects of manufacturing. Formed KWESST Micro Systems in 2017 to pursue opportunities in the networking and digitization of legacy and future weapons systems.
David Luxton—Executive Chairman
Serial entrepreneur in defence and security industry. Former Canadian infantry officer and senior official with the Canadian and British governments before leading the global build-out of successive defence and security companies. Founded Simunition, the world leader in simulated munitions for close-quarters combat training of military and police. Led the build-out of AllenVanguard from $5M to $300M, where he remains Chairman. Former Executive Chairman of United Tactical Systems.
John McCoach—Director
John McCoach retired from full-time employment in 2016. At that time he was President, TSX Venture Exchange; a role he held for seven years. John is a director of the Capital Markets Authority Implementation Organization. CMAIO is tasked by The Government of Canada, six provinces and one territory to create a pan Canadian securities commission. He is also the Lead Director, Liberty Defense Holding Ltd. John was a director, and Interim CEO, of Nautilus Minerals Inc. John is also a director of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.
Steven Archambault, CPA, CA—Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Archambault began his career as a CPA, CA with Ernst & Young LLP, followed by senior finance positions at AXIS Capital, a global insurer and reinsurer, and more recently had CFO roles with small cap public Canadian companies listed on the TSX-V and CSE in media broadcasting technology and health & wellness industries.
Paul Fortin—Director
Paul has held senior business development positions within two of Canada’s largest law firms – Gowlings WLG and more recently Borden Ladner Gervais LLP where he was responsible for the firm’s defence and security as well as international expansion strategies which encompassed Asia Pacific, United Kingdom, and the United States. His network includes exceptionally strong ties to the defence community and diplomatic defense attaché network, notably with the USA (Air Force, Army, Navy, USMC), Five Eyes, Korea, Ukraine, Israel, NATO, and Middle Eastern (Gulf States).
Paul Mangano—Director
Paul is a 34-year veteran of the high technology sector. He has an MBA in High Technology from Northeastern University and a BA in Economics from Harvard. In 2015, he established Surculus Advisors, a management consulting firm providing advice, leadership, to SME companies in the high-tech sector including aerospace and defence. Prior to forming Surculus Advisors, Paul was a Division President at L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL). Paul worked as SVP, Business Development at VT Griffin, and President & COO of Proterion Corporation.
Elisabeth Preston—Director
Elisabeth Preston is Chief Legal Counsel for a top tier international defence company with widespread global operations. She is an international business and trade lawyer, with significant transactional experience in many jurisdictions. Her experience spans more than thirty years advising companies as an executive in areas relating to governance, cross-border marketing, strategic relationships, major commercial transactions and financings to fund growth.
Warren Downing—Director of Innovation
Fifteen years in the Royal Australian Air Force. Transitioned to an industry where he has built upon his military experience with 20 + years of Systems Engineering and Program Management with Defense and communications companies such as CAE Inc, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, DRS Technologies and Colt Canada.
Jeffrey M. Dunn—Senior Advisor
Mr. Dunn’s career includes being Chief Operating Officer for ARTEMIS, Inc., the Naval Service Lead for Rapid Prototyping at Booz Allen Hamilton, and Director Strategic Development at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. He is the recipient of several medals and awards during a twenty-year career as a U.S. Marine AV-88 Harrier pilot and mission commander.
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