×

Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Space Air Cargo

Home- Stories

Wasp SUAS successor still awaits

Our Bureau - : Mar 2, 2023 - : 6:53 am

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.

MORE NEWS

Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.

Popular Posts

Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.

Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us