Looks To Develop Technologies To Make Small Fixed-Wing UAS Harder To Detect

Australia's Ministry of Defense is inviting Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to submit proposals for new technologies to protect Australian small, fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by making them harder to detect.

Minister for Defense Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP (pictured), said this was another opportunity for SMEs to contribute innovative solutions to enhance Defense capability. “Australian SMEs are great innovators and we want them to put forward innovative concepts to protect our UAS from being readily seen or heard in different environmental conditions,” Minister Pyne said.

“Defense is looking for outcomes to reduce both the visual and acoustic detection of UAS from ground-based observation without disrupting the operation of the aircraft.

UAS’s are used for intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance and especially in situations where manned flight is considered too risky. Having the ability to remain undetected conveys significant tactical advantages for such operations. These proposals are being invited under the Small Business Innovation Research for Defense (SBIRD) initiative of the Next Generation Technologies Fund.

“This program is designed to stimulate innovative research for Defense application by SMEs with this being the first project under the initiative requiring a novel application of material sciences and advanced sensors.”

Funded proposals will be eligible for up to $100,000 (AU), for completion within nine months.

If successful, SMEs will then be eligible to apply for funding to support further research and concept maturation within 24 months, with maximum funding of $750,000 (AU).

”I look forward to a strong response from SMEs and cutting-edge solutions in their proposals,” Minister Pyne said.

(Image provided with Australia Ministry of Defense news release)

FMI: www.minister.defence.gov.au