Kenneth Michael Canada

Biography

Professor Kenneth “Mike” Canada – Mike is currently the Applied Aviation Sciences Department Chair and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program Chair and Associate Professor of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University at Prescott Arizona. 

​From 2015 to 2020 Mike was an Assistant Professor of and Program Director of Unmanned Systems at Lewis University. Professor Canada is a qualified UAS Pilot/Operator and Mission Commander with over 1500 pilot in command (PIC) combat flight hours and 500 hours as a Mission Commander.  Mike has previously piloted unmanned aerial systems for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, VT Group, AAI, Neany Inc., and Academi.  He has forward deployed with US and International Security and Assistance Forces (ISAF) in both Iraq and Afghanistan supporting United States Marine Corps, US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF) in combat operations - providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), battle damage assessment (BDA), mission coordination planning, and airspace coordination.  Mike also has tactical experience with electro-optical (EO), LWIR and MWIR infrared optics, LiDAR and Mini Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) remote sensors used in counterterrorism/IED operations, kenieic strike and intelligence gathering missions.

Before entering the UAS industry, Mike severed 10 years in the United States Navy as an S-3A/S-3B Viking tactical aircraft Sensor Operator and tactician, Fleet Replacement Instructor and Fleet NATOPS Evaluator.  After his Naval service Mike worked as a Program Manager for L3 Communications, a Flight Simulator and Tactics Instructor for the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and an Education Specialist and Aircrew CRM Consultant for CDI Corporation.  

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

In 2013, Mike served as a member of the international legal team commissioned by the United Nations Special Rapporteur to investigate and report on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAVs and RPAs) in asymmetrical warfare and counter terrorism operations: specifically focusing on the legality of cross-border strike operations and possible international human rights violations. From 2015 to 2019 Mike helped lead and support research in Counter-UAS tactics and counter-measure technology in support of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate and has advised numerous public and private entites in counter-terrorism tactics.

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
• 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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