Battle-ready innovation
Conventional wars frequently spur rapid technological innovation. The conflict in Ukraine has shown the impact small, inexpensive and easily manufactured drones have on the battlefield.
CAPTION: DroneShield, awarded $800,000 in funding, is gaining attention for its cutting-edge products and battlefield applications. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.
To stay ahead, Army looks to the private sector for solutions.
One such company is DroneShield, which won $800,000 of funding at last year’s Army Innovation Day.
DroneShield Director Red McClintock said drones were dominating the battlefield, with first-person view drones emerging as the ‘apex predators’ of modern warfare.
“If you’re a drone pilot, you’re probably one of the highest priority targets – up there with artillery and tanks,” he said.
DroneShield’s products detect, locate and defeat drone threats to protect dismounts, vehicles and buildings.
The Army has shown interest in several products, including the DroneSentry-X Mk2, which can be vehicle-mounted, tripod-mounted or used for deployable fixed-site protection.
Among its capabilities is on-the-move drone detection and drone defeat.
When several are used in a mobile-networked team, drones and their pilots can be located.
The mobile teams can automatically provide tactical data to higher headquarters.
“With this system, those hunters become the hunted. It’s an incredibly powerful tool, especially when used on the move,” Mr McClintock said.
A key feature is the receiver and jammer’s ability to be updated, ensuring continued effectiveness as new drone models emerge.
“It’s like the virus scanner on your computer. As new threats appear, they update,” Mr McClintock said.
DroneShield has secured contracts for the DroneSentry-X Mk2 with Australian allies in Europe, North America and the Pacific.
Their other products are battle-proven with more than 1000 hand-held, vehicle-mounted and fixed systems in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
This year’s Army Innovation Day from September 11-12 will host organisations from industry and academia to pitch ideas that will enhance the endurance, lethality and survivability of soldiers in littoral environments.
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