By Peter Layton, Griffith University In the past five years, uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) have become indispensable in modern warfare. The Russia–Ukraine war has accelerated their ascent: on any given day, there may be hundreds or even thousands of drones operating across the frontlines and behind them. Cheap, mass-produced consumer technology is the foundation for…
Lab360 Solar, a drone-based utility-scale solar PV inspection company formed at University of NSW, has been awarded $3.96 million in support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Advancing Renewables Program. According to a statement from ARENA on Friday, the company uses its Daylight Photoluminescence (DPL) imaging technology to inspect solar panels from above in…
DroneShield has launched a new civilian market product, SentryCiv, which it says “empowers non-military sectors to safeguard critical assets against rising drone threats”. According to a statement from the AWX-listed counterdrone company on Monday, the product adds a “non emitting (completely passive) new layer of security” to sites at risk of drone threats, such as…
The federal government has awarded $16.9 million in contracts to 11 vendors, five of them Australian, to rapidly deliver counter-drone technologies. According to a statement from defence industry minister Pat Conroy on Thursday, the “rolling wave of contracts” is part of the LAND 156 program announced four months ago. LAND 156 will see “some of…
Counter-drone business DroneShield has announced three standalone follow-on contracts, worth a total of $61.6, representing “the biggest single order” in its history and topping its entire revenue of $57.5 million for 2024. According to a statement from the company on Wednesday, the contracts were from its privately owned in-country European reseller, to be distributed to…
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) launched Mission Syracuse on Monday, seeking industry support to enhance Australia’s defence capabilities against small uncrewed aerial systems. According to a statement released on Friday, the mission will focus on rapidly developing advanced technology options to intercept drones that can be integrated into the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) existing…
Brisbane-based Li-S Energy announced an leap forward in its battery pouch technology development, powering a number of drone test flights. The company successfully integrated these cells into battery packs that were tested in drone flights, with its first uncrewed aerial vehicle test in November achieving a 30-minute flight time on partial discharge, showing its capability…
Andrew Reeves to retire from Inghams as CEO and MD Inghams Group has announced that its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Andrew Reeves (pictured) will retire from the role in mid-2025, to be replaced by the CEO of its New Zealand business, Edward Alexander. The Chair of Inghams, Helen Nash, said: “Andrew has done…
Drone detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield announced an $8.2 million repeat order this morning from a European defence customer. However, trading in the company’s shares on the ASX was then paused, pending a further announcement. DroneShield said that delivery of the latest order to a major European government agency was expected in the next three…
Automotive, aerospace and defence manufacturer PWR Holdings expects H1 FY25 net profit after tax to be between $3.2 million and $3.7 million, below the NPAT of $9.8 million achieved in the first half of FY24. The profit figure includes expenses incurred with PWR’s new $22 million headquarters at Stapylton on the Gold Coast which opened…