Open-Source Flight Control Software Development

The contract involves the development and integration of open-source flight control software tailored for unmanned aerial systems, with full access to source code, application programming interfaces, and firmware to enable deep research customization. Recipients are expected to leverage the provided tools to enhance flight control capabilities, ensuring modularity, scalability, and adaptability across diverse UAS platforms. The work demands technical expertise in embedded systems, real-time programming, and aviation software architecture, with a focus on transparency, reproducibility, and collaborative innovation through open-source principles. This is a subcontract under the National Research Council of Canada, issued by the Government of Canada, with a closing date for submissions on July 9, 2026. The North American Industry Classification System code 541512 indicates it falls under computer systems design and related services. There is no specified set-aside classification or geographic restriction beyond the performance location tied to the agency’s operations. The project emphasizes research-driven outcomes, requiring proposers to demonstrate proven experience in flight control software development and a clear path for integrating custom enhancements into existing open-source frameworks without proprietary lock-in.