The Australian Army acquired a total of 66 Wasp AE small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) from AeroVironment in 2018-21. This acquisition fell under Project Land 129 Phase 4A, but the army is looking for a replacement for the Wasp via a request for tender (RfT) issued in January 2022.
Earlier, in July 2021, the Capability Acquisition & Sustainment Group (CASG) had released an advance notice for this replacement programme known logically as Land 129 Phase 4B. The new SUAS, in quantities of 60-80 depending upon cost, is to be acquired in FY2024/25.
CASG said the army is seeking ‘a system with better performance than the Wasp AE’ to give army combat teams an independent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, as well as increased force protection.
The army would specify neither a fixed-wing or VTOL platform, but it must be recoverable on land or by an operator in a small boat. The latter requirement means it should float for at least 15 minutes.
It also needs to be man-portable, capable of day/night operations and weigh less than 15kg. Its range should be 7-10km from the ground control station, with an endurance of 45-60 minutes.
This RfT closed on 4 March 2022, but no winner has been announced yet by Defence.
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