Vancouver, BC - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA" or the "Company") (TSX: MDA), a global communications and information company, today announced that it has signed a contract with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to conduct a concept study to determine the feasibility of using a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sub-Surface Ice Sounder and Imager as a potential payload on a future Mars orbiter mission.

Budget 2017 provided funding to the CSA for new projects that will demonstrate and utilize Canadian innovations in space, including for Mars surface observation. "The Budget commitment to participate in such a mission is a welcome signal about how the Canadian government views space exploration," said Don Osborne, president of MDA’s Information Systems Group.

The SAR payload will use radio waves to illuminate the surface and sub-surface of Mars. The echo of each radio wave pulse that is received can be processed into valuable information about surface properties and the distribution of water and water-ice. These measurements will be also be crucial to finding potential future landing sites for humans on Mars.

MDA will team with scientists led by Western University and with five other Canadian academic institutions to contribute towards meeting the science requirements of the mission.

With almost five decades of SAR expertise, MDA is recognized for being the first to use a digital processor to reconstruct an image from Seasat, the first civilian spaceborne SAR satellite. Thanks to an early commitment by the Government of Canada to develop an Earth observation program to meet national needs, MDA is acknowledged for the design, construction and operation of the most capable space-based SAR systems in the world. From RADARSAT-1 in 1995 to RADARSAT-2 in 2007, the planned RADARSAT Constellation Mission in 2018, and advanced imaging SAR for aircraft platforms serving defence, security and surveillance applications, including Canada's CP-140 Aurora aircraft, MDA is recognized globally for its state-of-the-art space technologies, advanced technical and engineering capabilities, and mission critical systems.

About MDA

MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA's established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 15 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDA."

Related Websites
www.mdacorporation.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA” or the “Company”) with respect to future events and financial performance. The forward-looking statements in this regard include statements regarding the award of a government contract. Any such forward-looking statements are based on MDA’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. The factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this release include contracts with any government agency not being terminated. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. MDA cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to differ from current expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in government policies, priorities, regulations or government agency mandates, or funding levels through agency budget reductions; failure of third parties and subcontractors; and failure of systems to meet performance requirements.

For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release.