North Vector Dynamics CM-70 Interceptor

History

The North Vector Dynamics CM-70 is a compact Canadian counter-unmanned-aircraft interceptor developed as a lower-cost air-defense weapon for Group I to Group III drones. The latest public specification set reported in July 2026 describes a 3 kg missile with semi-active laser guidance, a 3.5 km maximum range, and a speed of up to 900 km/h.

North Vector Dynamics has said its air-defense work began in early 2024. The weapon appeared on the company's website in June 2025 under the name SPEAR, and the product page was renamed CM-70 around the turn of 2026.

The CM-70 remained a developing system in 2026. North Vector Dynamics' chief executive Paul Ziadé stated an intention to field the missile in Ukraine during 2026, while CSG later said it would support the Canadian company with industrial expertise, manufacturing capability, and access to commercial networks including Ukraine. No confirmed delivery quantity or schedule was disclosed.

Development

Publicly reported specifications changed as the design evolved. According to Quwa, the 2025 version described a 2 km range and autonomous infrared guidance. A May 2026 version listed a mass of 2.5 kg, a length of 0.72 m, and a speed above 1,000 km/h. Reporting by Militarnyi also cited the 2.5 kg and 0.72 m figures and described semi-active laser homing combined with artificial intelligence.

On 27 July 2026, North Vector Dynamics published a revised specification set. Contemporary reports from Inside Telecom and C4Defence described the revised CM-70 as approximately 3 kg in mass and 0.9 m long, with a 3.5 km range, a speed of up to 900 km/h, semi-active laser guidance, and a forward-firing fragmentation warhead. These later figures are used for the specifications below.

Investment and planned deployment

CSG became a strategic investor in North Vector Dynamics in 2026 and said it would provide industrial and commercial support in addition to financing. Reports differ on the transaction value: Militarnyi reported a US$90 million investment, while Defense Express stated that the investment amount was undisclosed and that the deal valued North Vector Dynamics at more than US$90 million.

Ukraine was identified as an important market for the partnership. Militarnyi reported that CSG planned to supply CM-70 interceptors to Ukraine. Defense Express, however, noted that the investment announcement itself did not disclose an official missile delivery contract. The available reporting therefore supports planned deployment and commercial access to Ukraine, but not a confirmed quantity, transfer format, or delivery date.

Design

The CM-70 is designed to intercept unmanned aircraft while reducing the cost of using larger conventional air-defense missiles against comparatively inexpensive drones. North Vector Dynamics describes the weapon as suitable for Group I, II, and III unmanned-aircraft threats.

Guidance

The July 2026 configuration uses semi-active laser guidance. A laser designator illuminates the target and the missile homes on the reflected laser energy. Reports describing this configuration state that the CM-70 does not require GPS navigation or a radio communications link during the engagement, allowing it to operate in radio silence and reducing dependence on systems vulnerable to jamming.

Warhead and launch arrangements

The revised configuration is described as carrying a forward-firing fragmentation warhead intended to direct blast and fragments toward the target. North Vector Dynamics has presented the CM-70 as compatible with fixed ground launchers, vehicle-mounted launchers, and airborne platforms, although the available sources do not identify a fielded integrated launcher or operational platform.

Cost and export positioning

Ziadé has described the CM-70 as an attritable precision-guided missile and stated a target unit cost below US$10,000. This is a company target rather than a confirmed production price. North Vector Dynamics also promotes the missile as ITAR-free, positioning it for procurement and integration by allied customers without dependence on United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations controls.

Program status

As of August 2026, the available sources describe the CM-70 as a developing counter-UAS interceptor rather than a confirmed operational weapon. The company intended to field the missile in Ukraine during 2026, and CSG's investment was presented as a means to accelerate manufacturing and market access. No confirmed operational deployment, service operator, delivery quantity, or production total is identified in the supplied material.

Specifications (CM-70, July 2026 published configuration)

General characteristics

• Manufacturer: North Vector Dynamics
• Country of development: Canada
• Mass: approximately 3 kg
• Length: 0.9 m
• Intended targets: Group I to Group III unmanned aircraft

Performance

• Maximum range: 3.5 km
• Speed: up to 900 km/h

Guidance and warhead

• Guidance: semi-active laser guidance
• Navigation and communications: no GPS or radio link required for the reported guidance arrangement
• Warhead: forward-firing fragmentation warhead