Kenneth Michael Canada

Biography

Professor Kenneth “Mike” Canada serves as the department chair of Applied Aviation Sciences, the program chair for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and an associate professor of UAS at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Prior to joining Embry-Riddle, he was an assistant professor and program director of UAS at Lewis University from 2015 to 2020.

Professor Canada holds a B.S. in Education from Southern Illinois University; an LL.B. Honors (Dunelm) in British and European Union Law from the University of Durham Law School (UK); an LL.M. in International Comparative and Taxation Law from the University of San Diego School of Law; and a Graduate Certificate in Airborne Global Information Grid (AGIG) Operations from Johns Hopkins University.

A qualified UAS Pilot/Operator and Mission Commander, Professor Canada has logged more than 1,500 pilot-in-command (PIC) combat flight hours and 500 hours as a UAS Mission Commander. He has flown UAS platforms for Boeing Defense, Space & Security; VT Group; AAI; Neany Inc.; and Academi. He has deployed in support of U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF). His expertise includes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); battle damage assessment (BDA); mission coordination and airspace planning. He has operational experience with a wide range of advanced sensor systems, including electro-optical (EO), LWIR/MWIR infrared optics, LiDAR, and Mini Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR), supporting counterterrorism, IED mitigation, kinetic strike and ISR missions.

Before entering the UAS field, Professor Canada served in the U.S. Navy as an S-3A/B Viking tactical aircraft SENTAC Sensor Operator/Tactician, Fleet Replacement Instructor, and Fleet NATOPS Evaluator. Following his military service, he held roles as a Program Manager for L3 Communications, a Flight Simulator and Tactics Instructor for Lockheed Martin and an Education Specialist and Aircrew CRM Consultant for CDI Corporation.

In 2013, Professor Canada was selected as part of an international legal team commissioned by the United Nations Special Rapporteur to investigate the use of unmanned aerial systems in asymmetrical warfare and counterterrorism. His work specifically focused on the legality of cross-border strikes and potential violations of international human rights. From 2015 to 2019, he led and supported research on Counter-UAS tactics and countermeasure technologies in support of the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate. He continues to advise public and private organizations on counterterrorism strategies and UAS operations.

Education

• LL.M. - Master of Laws in Comparative Law, University of San Diego
• B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University

Currently Teaching

• CEUAS 397: Coop Ed Unmanned A/Craft Systm
• CEUAS 396: Coop Ed Unmanned A/Craft Systm
• AS 473: Operational Application in UAS
• AS 403: Uncrewed Sensing Systems

Courses Taught

Professional Experience

Memberships and Credentials

ScanEagle UAS Piot and Mission Commander

ScanEagle Maintenance Qualification

Tigershark UAS Mission Commander

Grays Inn: London Inns of Court - Member

London Court of International Arbitration - Member

US Navy Master Training Specialist

Vertical Flight Society - Member

Awards, Honors and Recognitions

ERAU John H. Jenkins Faculty Service Award 2023

US Navy Wolf Hunt ASW Award 1991

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