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New AI-enabled drones that are capable of detecting landmines from above have been trialled by Nova Systems in the Latrobe Valley.
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The uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) use image recognition technology to differentiate between landmines and other objects having been developed in-house by Nova engineers, the company confirmed.
The AI-enabled UAV system has been undergoing testing at Latrobe Valley at Nova’s deployable UAV testing range, where it will undergo further development and improvement.
It is expected that the drone technology will enable Defence to cover broad swathes of ground quickly while keeping personnel safe, Dean Rosenfield, chief executive officer of Nova Systems, said.
“The integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems into the Australian Defence Force is not just a strategic choice, but an imperative,” Rosenfield said.
“Testing UAVs and other complex systems in a real-world environment provides the ability to assess the full potential of the capability.
“The ability to innovate, develop, and test our own AI technology for UAVs in Australia is a strategic advantage.
“It helps secure the nation’s advanced technological capabilities and the long-term sustainability of the Australian specialist workforce through contemporary training and development.”
The veteran-powered test and evaluation provider, Nova Systems, hopes that the new capability will minimise risk for Defence personnel and civilians.
A company release explained that collaborations at Nova’s T&E Centre of Excellence is accelerating testing capabilities of emerging technologies including AI, machine learning, and uncrewed systems.
The announcement follows a recent partnership between Nova Systems and Elbit to undertake flight trials of the Elbit Systems Skylark I-LEX unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the Australian Army.
The two companies leveraged the deployable testing range to trial the man-portable and electric mini-UAS, working with CASA, the Royal Australian Air Force in East Sale, and local authorities to successfully complete the testing.
Mark Wagstaff, Nova Systems general manager aerospace, welcomed the opportunity to support the trial of the uncrewed systems, noting that the company was continuing to develop its physical and digital test methodologies.
“We’re pleased to support Elbit Systems Australia and the Australian Army in these flight trials,” Wagstaff said.
“Testing these complex systems in a real-world environment provides the ability to showcase their full potential, all while ensuring they deconflict with air traffic.
“Nova Systems has been investing in both physical and synthetic methods for performing T&E on autonomous and uncrewed systems-of-systems as an area of focus within our T&E Centre of Excellence initiative.”
According to a Nova spokesperson, the company is committed to expanding its UAS test range capabilities in order to provide users with the opportunity to mature their models.
