Landing Zones Canada and Japan’s Meisei Sign Stratospheric Platform Partnership – Strengthening Canada–Japan Cooperation in the Stratosphere

Landing Zones Canada Inc. (headquartered in Alberta, with operations in Ontario; CEO: Spencer Fraser; “LZC”) and Meisei Electric Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Gunma Prefecture, Japan; President and Representative Director: Masanobu Natsuake; “Meisei”) have agreed to integrate LZC’s Eagle remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) with Meisei’s ultra-compact stratospheric observation platform (the “Stratospheric Platform”). A signing ceremony was held today at the Embassy of Canada to Japan in Tokyo.

The International Project Consortium Agreement (IPCA) is one of the industry initiatives giving practical effect to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed on March 6, 2026 by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. It translates the two leaders’ commitment to deeper cooperation in defence and security, advanced technology, and innovation into concrete technical collaboration. 

Under the IPCA, LZC and Meisei will jointly plan stratospheric flight campaigns in Canada. The work will integrate LZC’s recoverable high-altitude Eagle RPAS with Meisei’s ultra-compact balloon platform for meteorological observation, disaster response, and security applications. Planned activities include joint test design, high-altitude deployment and recovery trials, and evaluation of reusable observation and communications payloads.  Preparations and initial trials will begin this fall in Alberta and Canada’s Arctic, followed by three years of extensive flight campaigns.

Through this initiative, the companies aim to advance uncrewed aircraft technology and deepen scientific and operational understanding of the stratosphere, with applications in weather monitoring, disaster response, and security in Canada and Japan.

Spencer Fraser, CEO, Landing Zones Canada Inc. stated that “This IPCA is more than a company-to-company agreement. It gives practical effect to the partnership Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Takaichi set in motion earlier this year. Meisei has world-class stratospheric balloon technology, and we look forward to integrating it with LZC’s world-class high-altitude, recoverable Eagle remotely piloted aircraft system. We are honoured to sign at the Embassy of Canada to Japan and look forward to preparations and initial trials in Alberta and Canada’s Arctic, starting this fall.”

Masanobu Natsuake, President and Representative Director, Meisei Electric Co., Ltd. stated that “This collaboration is an important step toward opening new possibilities in meteorological observation, disaster prevention, and aerospace technology through stratospheric demonstrations in Canadian airspace. We are confident that combining Meisei’s Stratospheric Platform with LZC’s technologies for deploying uncrewed aircraft from the stratosphere and operating at high altitude will create significant value. We hope this project will support the safe and sustainable use of the stratosphere and further strengthen the friendship and partnership between Canada and Japan. Meisei will pursue responsible technology development and safe demonstration activities while placing great importance on its relationship of trust with LZC.”

About Landing Zones Canada Inc.

LZC is a leading Canadian company that develops, designs, and manufactures advanced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and related subsystems for civilian environmental protection and security applications. A pioneer in sustainable, reusable aviation technology, LZC has established strategic partnerships with aerospace and defence companies worldwide. The company operates in Alberta and Ontario.

About Meisei Electric Co., Ltd.

Meisei Electric is a leading Japanese provider of meteorological and environmental observation technology. From radiosondes and ground-based weather networks to ultra-compact stratospheric platforms and space-borne sensors, Meisei designs and manufactures systems that measure and communicate from the ocean to orbit. Guided by its Sensing & Communication heritage, the company creates innovative products and services that contribute to a safer and more secure society.

Media links

Landing Zones Canada: https://landingzones.com/

Meisei Electric: https://www.meisei.co.jp/

Meisei Electric press release on the Stratospheric Platform (July 12, 2024): https://www.meisei.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240712NewsRelease.pdf

The companies thank the Embassy of Canada to Japan for hosting the signing ceremony.