For immediate release: January 18, 2005

MDA Expands Automated Underwriting Solutions For Insurance Carriers

Solutions Now Include Online Fire Hazard Identification

Richmond, B.C. - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has expanded its automated underwriting solutions for insurance carriers by creating online brush and forest fire hazard identification solutions. The solutions are targeted at carriers that supply property insurance coverage in California and other western states.

Online automated underwriting decision and mapping solutions are becoming increasingly necessary to provide a consistent, systematic approach for individual risks and management of property portfolios. The brush and forest fire hazard identification solutions are now being used by a leading U.S. insurance carrier to manage its risk exposure and to establish fair and adequate premium rates.

MDA's online brush and forest fire solutions feature indices and maps. These are created by combining information about land slope data, road maps and vegetation partially derived from satellite data, with information on structure density and building characteristics from MDA's own database. These solutions are becoming increasingly necessary as more homeowners, businesses and communities expand development into forested and grassland areas.

About MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)

MDA (TSX: MDA) provides businesses and governments around the world with essential information solutions used for decision making. Operating from offices across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., MDA is active in data collection, information extraction, and information distribution.

Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
www.msbinfo.com


For more information, please contact:

Wendy Keyzer
External Relations
MDA
Telephone: 604-231-2743
E-mail: wendy@mdacorporation.com