The Australian Army has called on industry for battlefield innovations to boost the “endurance, lethality and survivability” of soldiers as new threats continue to emerge on the battlefield.
“First-person-view drones continue to wreak havoc on armour and personnel in the war in Ukraine, highlighting the need for counter-drone technologies,” the Army said in a statement. Counter-drone technologies from several companies were recently the focus at Army Innovation Day 2024, held during the Chief of Army Symposium in Melbourne.
At last year’s event, Platypus Research and Development took part, leading to funding to further develop its electromagnetic pulse (EMP) drone disruption technology. The device, which the company calls Bug Zapper, is a trailer-mounted array of printed circuit boards that directs a high-powered radio frequency field into a chosen area. This ‘fries’ the drone, preventing it from re-engaging after an attack. Despite the system’s high-power output, it can operate on small-power sources, such as a car battery. The technology can be scaled down or up, providing protection against drone swarms with a broad area of effect.
Another company that secured funding at last year’s innovation day, Codarra Advanced Systems, returned this year to showcase advancements in its passive drone detection and exploitation technology. Since last year’s event, the company’s product has grown from a directional system to an omni-directional one, offering a 360-degree view for drone detection and a significantly longer range. It is designed to give a soldier the exact location of the drone, its distance, and its path, as well as an indication as to the drone’s role. The system looks at a drone’s radio signal signature, allowing it to infer details about its activity and purpose. Codarra is currently working on strengthening the hardware to withstand tough environmental conditions and improve software to simplify maintenance and updates.
For more information
Image: Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart engages with industry exhibitors at the Army Innovation Day as part of the Chief of Army Symposium 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Victoria. Photo: Corporal Janet Pan
