Defence to source drone radio tech from South Australia


Mesh network radio technology allowing a new fleet of reconnaissance drones to securely communicate with the Australian Defence Force will be made in South Australia under a new $15 million contract.

The contract, announced on Wednesday, will see the local electronics manufacturer Codan Communications deliver its Sentry Mesh 6161 radio into SYPAQ Systems’ CorvoX under a program known as DEF129 (previously Land 129 Phase 4B).

CorvoX is one of two types of small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) to be supplied as part of DEF129, the other being German manufacturer Quantum-Systems’ Vector electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL).

SYPAQ Systems’ CorvoX. Image: Twitter/SYPAQ Systems’

Defence signed contracts worth more than $100 million with the two drone makers in July last year, with the first of the 110 SUAS systems expected to be provided to the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force from 2025.

The drones will be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, allowing the Australian Defence Forcecodan c to collect information while protecting warfighters from unnecessary harm.

Defence Industry minister Pat Conroy on Wednesday said under the new contract Codan Communications will create a radio communications production line for CorvoX, offering “scalable solutions and enhanced communications capabilities” to Defence.

Sentry Mesh 6161 is a lightweight software-defined radio, which the company advertises as supporting “digital voice and high speed IP data capabilities over a robust, self-forming and self-healing wireless network”.

Up to 18 jobs will be created at Codan Communications’ production facility in South Australia as a result of the contract, with the roles to include video encoding, mesh and algorithms equipment packaging and certification.

The new jobs build on the 30 positions that are expected to be created at SYPAQ Systems and Quantum-Systems in Queensland and Victoria. SYPAQ Systems is currently hiring for several roles across its facilities.

“This project will create highly skilled jobs for South Australia and demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to building Australia’s future through a strengthening of Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities,” Mr Conroy said.

SYPAQ Systems has previously described its CorvoX SUAS as a “true Australian success story” that has been developed with Defence over many years and contains “over 90 per cent Australian content”.

Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.

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