Three Australian companies have been awarded contracts worth a total of $6.6 million in the next phase of the Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge managed by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).
AMSL Aero, Boresight and Grabba Technologies were each selected after a ‘fly-off’ demonstration of their technologies in April. Each company was awarded a $2.2 million contract to finalise prototype development to production standards and produce 100 general-purpose UAS.
Sovereign drone manufacturing capabilities would address some of the security and supply chain risks associated with commercial drones, and would allow defense and other government agencies to produce more at a lower cost than is currently possible, achieving economies of scale.
The companies, based in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland respectively, will use the funding to increase production capacity, develop prototypes to commercial standards by the end of the year and produce their first 100 UAS.
The Sovereign UAS Challenge is the first initiative launched by ASCA, demonstrating to industry ASCA’s ability to deliver more agile and accelerated processes to drive innovation across the Australian Defence Force.
Quote from Professor Emily Hilder, Head Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator:
“ASCA has worked closely with industry to achieve the desired capabilities in a short period of time, demonstrating that if we work together we can build a valuable sovereign foundation.”
“In addition to focusing on capabilities that have demonstrated a need in defense and other government agencies, this challenge focuses on how ASCA can use novel approaches with minimal overhead to accelerate such development activities and directly engage small and medium-sized enterprises.”
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