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Defence industry companies will provide their best new-generation drone prototypes for demonstration as part of a strategic capabilities accelerator challenge in April.
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Aerial drones developed by Australian companies will be showcased as part of a federal government initiative aimed at supporting innovation and delivering capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.
Drones will be assessed on their ability for rapid production at scale and potential use by Defence and the Commonwealth.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are versatile and cost-effective platforms that provide near real-time situational awareness at lower altitudes than larger surveillance alternatives, in an expendable and general‑purpose frame.
“ASCA’s first innovation incubation challenge will support some of our brightest minds in developing sovereign drone technology that can advance the future capabilities of the ADF,” he said.
“This initiative is another example of how the Albanese government is getting on with the job of providing the ADF with state-of-the-art technology while supporting the local defence industry, including small- and medium-sized enterprises.
“Investments in developing small and smart uncrewed aerial systems will not only further a sovereign drone industry, creating highly skilled jobs, but ultimately will increase the operational effectiveness of our military.”
Defence and other Commonwealth agencies use them for training, photography and survey tasks, he said.
More than 11 companies have signed contracts to provide a prototype of a drone or uncrewed aerial system for the Defence Sovereign UAS Challenge, according to a Defence statement published on 30 January.
Companies including AMSL Aero, Autonomous Technology, Bask Aerospace, Boresight, Crystalaid Manufacture, DefendTex Military Products, Edinburgh Drone Company, Geodrones Australia, Ichor Autonomy, SYPAQ Systems, and V-TOL Aerospace have all signed on to develop a prototype UAS and production plan.
The contracts, worth $1,210,000 in total, are part of the Sovereign UAS Challenge, run by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).
In May 2023, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister Conroy announced the establishment of the ASCA, delivering on the government's election commitment to drive innovation that creates new capability for the Australian Defence Force.
Drone technology is in a period of rapid innovation internationally, with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine approving the use of artificial intelligence-assisted Saker Scout unmanned aerial drones for frontline combat missions in the country’s fight against Russian forces late last year.
Each drone, with a flight range of 10 kilometres, is reportedly able to independently recognise and record the coordinates of enemy equipment (including camouflaged vehicles) using advanced optics and infrared optics, which is then immediately transmitted to a command post for the appropriate decision.
It can also rely on an inertial guidance system to resist electronic warfare interference and integrates with situational awareness systems currently in service with Ukraine.
