The Federal Government has awarded Melbourne firm Sypaq Systems a $3.5 million contract to develop an unmanned aerial system (UAS) with potential future applications for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price announced the Defence Innovation Hub contract with Sypaq Systems at the Pacific 2019 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney on October 9.
Under the contract, Sypaq – founded in 1992 – would develop a small UAS with a hybrid power delivery system and the capacity to operate effectively in harsh environmental conditions such as at sea.
Price congratulated the company on its innovative solution and said the technology would enhance situational awareness for maritime operations.
“If successful, this UAS would be capable of operating from ships at sea and performing a range of surveillance and reconnaissance operations,” Price said.
“Sypaq Systems, an engineering and systems integration company, is an example of an Australian business that is exploring leading technology to help the Australian Defence Force meet its current and future challenges.
“Through the Defence Innovation Hub, we are investing approximately $640 million in Australian industry to develop innovative technology with a Defence application.
In March, the company was awarded a $1 million contract to develop a small UAS capable of delivering supplies to soldiers in the field.
VIDEO: A look at the ARCTURUS UAV JUMP 15 VTOL UAV from the Arcturus UAV YouTube channel.
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