Australia narrows field for the next naval UAV
An Aerosonde UAV is prepared for launch aboard a naval vessel. (Textron Systems)
The Australian navy's effort to adopt a new shipborne UAV takes a step forward.
The Australian Department of Defence has reduced the number of contenders for Project Sea 129 Phase 5 Block 1 to five potential shipborne UAV providers for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Acting Defence Minister Marise Payne announced on 23 March that the quintet of companies is BAE Systems Australia, Insitu Pacific, Northrop Grumman Australia, Raytheon Australia and Textron Systems Australia.
The government did not name the platforms proffered by each of the five, but Shephard understands some are the same platforms that entered the army’s Project Land 129 Phase 3 competition for a tactical UAV.
Northrop Grumman Australia announced on 24
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