Defence invests $6.6m in developing drone technology

Three Australian companies have signed contracts worth a total of $6.6 million to develop and produce 100 drones for Defence as part of an innovation challenge.

The contracts are the latest stage of the Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge being managed by Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).

AMSL Aero, Boresight and Grabba Technologies were each selected following a ‘fly-off’ demonstration of their technology in April.

Each company has signed a $2.2 million dollar contract to finalise development of their prototypes to a production standard and produce 100 general purpose UAS.

The Head Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, Professor Emily Hilder: “ASCA has worked closely with Industry to achieve a desired capability in a short time, proving that we can build a valuable sovereign base if we work together.

“As well as the focus on capability that Defence and other government agencies have demonstrated a need for, this challenge is also focused on how ASCA can use new approaches to accelerate development activities like this and with minimum overhead for engaging SMEs directly.”

A sovereign drone manufacturing capability could help resolve security and supply chain risks associated with some commercial drones, according to ASCA.

It could also allow Defence and other government agencies to reap the benefits of scale by achieving higher volumes at lowers costs than currently available.

The companies, which are based in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland respectively, will use the funds to build up their production capacity, further develop their prototypes to a commercial standard by the end of the year, then produce their first 100 UAS.

The Sovereign UAS Challenge was the first initiative that ASCA launched and part of demonstrating it could to deliver a more agile, accelerated process to advance innovation for the Australian Defence Force.

Picture: Boresight/Raider Quadcopter