Convergence Design Services Launches the MIL-V, a Fully Sovereign Electrically Powered Military Vehicle Platform

Jun 3
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Ottawa-based defence engineering firm debuts Canadian-built, optionally manned platform for defence at CANSEC 2026.

OTTAWA, ON — Convergence Design Services, an Ottawa-based defence technology engineering firm with over thirty years of mission-critical engineering experience, has launched the MIL-V, a fully sovereign, electrically powered military vehicle platform designed, built, and owned entirely in Canada.

Following its public debut at CANSEC 2026, the MIL-V is now available for procurement engagement, demonstration, and program integration discussions with Canadian defence organizations and allied nations.

the MIL-V in optionally manned and unmanned configurations — *The MIL-V, a fully sovereign, electrically powered military vehicle platform developed by Convergence Design Services, shown here in optionally manned and unmanned configurations.*

PLATFORM OVERVIEW

The MIL-V is a mission-ready, electrically powered autonomous vehicle platform capable of manned and unmanned operation across any terrain or climate. Its open modular architecture allows rapid reconfiguration for breaching, CASEVAC, resupply, ISR, and force protection missions without returning to base.

The platform's electric powertrain delivers a near-silent acoustic signature and reduced thermal profile, making it well suited for operations where stealth and low observability are critical. An internal power distribution system supports multiple mission systems simultaneously, and sensors are fused across multiple domains to give operators and autonomous systems a unified, real-time picture of the operational environment.

The MIL-V is classified as an attritable Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). It requires minimal training and is simple to maintain and repair with locally available parts anywhere in theatre. The unmanned MIL-V variant was designed with transportability in mind, making it easy to transport by shipping container, truck bed, aircraft, and other logistics platforms.

Every line of IP is Canadian. The supply chain is entirely domestic, ITAR-free, and not subject to export controls, foreign policy shifts, or global conflict disruption.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR CANADIAN DEFENCE

Canada is at a critical juncture in its defence industrial development. Through the Defence Industrial Strategy, the federal government has committed to rebuilding domestic defence capability, raising the share of defence acquisitions awarded to Canadian firms to 70%, and prioritizing domestic supply chain resilience.

The MIL-V is not a newly conceived platform. It builds on decades of combined automotive and defence engineering experience, resulting in a proven solution aligned with the evolving needs of Canadian defence procurement.

The platform's fully domestic supply chain means Canada can produce, sustain, and deploy the MIL-V independently. In a crisis or conflict scenario, there are no foreign dependencies, no export control risks, and no supply chain vulnerabilities. Production can scale rapidly to meet demand using existing Canadian manufacturing capacity.

"Canadian defence companies are the backbone of future technology innovation. This platform showcases what our industry is capable of across a multitude of missions. One hundred percent Canadian-built. Canadian IP. Canadian owned. This is what sovereign defence capability looks like in practice."

— Ben Seaman, President, Convergence Design Services

PLATFORM CAPABILITIES

The MIL-V is engineered to support a broad range of operational mission sets:

Breaching and assault support, silent electric approach with reduced thermal signature
CASEVAC, rapid reconfiguration for casualty evacuation in austere environments
Resupply, autonomous logistics support reducing risk to personnel
ISR, multi-domain sensor fusion for persistent situational awareness
Force protection, counter-drone and counter-UAS capability integration
Unmanned operations, full autonomous operation capability in GNSS-denied environments

The MIL-V can be configured with a wide range of mission-specific technologies, including counter-drone systems, autonomous navigation, Edge-AI computing, anti-jamming GNSS, beyond-line-of-sight communications, electric propulsion, and ruggedized computing, enabling operators to tailor capability to operational requirements.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: 8ft x 5ft (unmanned) / 11ft x 5ft (manned)

Vehicle Weight: 817 kg (1,800 lbs)

Payload Capacity: 680 kg (1,500 lbs)

Towing Capacity: 907 kg (2000 Ibs)

Max Speed: 55 km/h (35 mph)

Range: 70 km (43 mi) standard configuration

Powertrain: 2 dual electric motors

Ground Clearance: 27 cm (10.5 in)

Turning Radius: 2.8m (110 in) inside radius

Sensors: Camera, LiDAR, Radar, GNSS

Lights: LED / IR with stealth kill switch

Charging: AC Level 1, 120V (6 to 8 hours)

Upgrade Options: Dual battery (150 km range) / Diesel generator hybrid / Dual electric motors (70 km/h)

PROCUREMENT AND PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT

The MIL-V has been designed, tested, validated and iterated based on real-world feedback. Small volume manufacturing is underway with the ability to scale rapidly to meet program requirements. The platform is available for demonstration, evaluation, and procurement discussions.

Convergence Design Services is actively seeking engagement with Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence, and allied nations.

ABOUT CONVERGENCE DESIGN SERVICES

Ottawa-based Convergence Design Services has over thirty years of experience delivering critical engineering across defence, aerospace, space, and advanced mobility. Formerly known as Blue Systems, the company is 100% Canadian owned, CGP-certified, and has been recognized multiple times as one of Ottawa's fastest-growing companies by the Ottawa Business Journal. Backed by 100% Canadian venture capital firm, Lordon Mayo Inc., Convergence is making a multimillion-dollar investment in defence product innovation and engineering growth.