A Brisbane-based drone company will benefit from a $100m Federal Government investment in the aerial technology.
Defence Minister Pat Conroy said the Australian Defence Force (ADF) would be boosted by the acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS).
Minister Conroy said Quantum Systems, which operated a regional hub in Brisbane, would supply its Vector 2-in-1 system to the ADF, with Sypaq Systems delivering its CorvoX package.
He said the purchase would allow the ADF to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance and augment its existing stock of drones.
“The Quantum-Systems Vector 2-in-1 and the Sypaq Systems CorvoX will enhance ADF force protection and potency capabilities across land and littoral operations by supporting the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force in confined areas, including small marine craft and urban environments.”
Minister Conroy said the partnership with both companies was expected to create at least 30 highly skilled jobs in Brisbane and Melbourne.
He said the two new SUAS would be delivered in 2025 as the ADF continued acquiring new drones while continuing to trial low-cost, expendable uncrewed and autonomous systems which were capable of production at scale and able to operate in contested warfighting environments.
“This approach will add to the more than 20 drone systems already acquired including models that have been in service for more than a decade and platforms with multiple payload options.”
Minister Conroy said the 2024 Integrated Investment Program included investment in a range of uncrewed and autonomous systems that could work together and complement crewed systems on a range of missions.
He said it was part of $10 billion investment on drones, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems and $690 million on uncrewed tactical systems for Army.
