A drone being destroyed by a laser. Image: Screenshot.
Hot on the heels of announcing some initial investments into counter-drone capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Federal Government has appointed a systems integration partner to oversee and deliver these new capabilities.
Under the ADF’s Project LAND 156, Canberra-based Leidos Australia will deliver and evolve the ADF’s Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft System capability under a $45.9 million contract.
The integration effort will see various sensors, effectors, and command and control systems work together to provide an integrated capability to protect key ADF bases, deployed forces, or critical infrastructure.
The government said most of the work under LAND 156 would be delivered by Australian companies, supporting more than 160 jobs. Additionally, the open architecture approach to the project meant more companies and capabilities could be integrated in the future as part of a continuous modernisation model.
The project will also see a demonstration of a minimum viable counter-drone capability by December this year, including the Australian-designed Cortex Command and Control System developed by Acacia Systems; an effector system delivered by Canberra-based EOS Defence Systems; a sensor system delivered by Canberra-based Department 13; additional sensor and effector systems; and services including systems integration and capability assurance.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the project was a benchmark and a blueprint for how Defence wanted to deliver speed to capability.
“The structure of Project LAND 156 will ensure Australia stays ahead of the evolution cycle in relation to counter-drone technology, giving the ADF the capabilities it needs,” he said.
“Counter-drone technology is critical to keeping our ADF members safe, and that’s why the government is ensuring our soldiers, sailors and aviators are provided with the best technology to protect them.”
Leidos Australia chief executive Paul Chase said his company’s solution provided immediate tactical utility and long-term operational relevance through a modular and scalable counter-small UAS capability, designed to support various deployments and evolve with the threat landscape.
“We’re proud to bring our deep systems integration experience, sovereign capabilities, global expertise, and proven systems together for LAND 156,” he said. ”We will fast-track proven capabilities to the Australian warfighter and deliver an evolving and enduring counter-UAS system for our defence force.”
Department 13 chief executive officer and chief technical officer Ben Westgarth said his company was proud to draw on its expertise and innovative solutions for the project that represented a significant investment in the future of Australia’s defence capabilities.
“We are proud to be selected as Australia’s preferred supplier of electronic warfare capability for the Land 156 project,” he said.
“Our world-leading technology and expertise in developing counter-drone systems will play a crucial role in building solutions to protect our armed forces and our nation from the rapid proliferation of UAS threats.”
Acacia Systems’ CEO Bob Humphreys welcomed the announcement.
“The selection of Acacia’s Cortex technology as the command-and-control heart of the army’s LAND 156 counter-drone program represents a commitment to a proven South Australian capability that benefits from more than 30 years of investment in developing innovative software solutions for Australian Defence and government clients,” he said.
“Cortex is an open architecture system designed alongside the warfighter with significant input from sovereign Australian sensor and effector vendors.
“Acacia is committed to working with Leidos and Defence to deliver rapid, agile capability upgrades at the speed necessary to meet emerging drone threats and that will be critical to keeping our ADF members safe.”
