The New Zealand Army will take delivery of three new sets of small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (sUAS) and remote ground sensor (RGS) systems in 2024.
In an announcement on 14 December 2023, the NZ Ministry of Defence announced that it had awarded three contracts for sUAS under Tranche 2 of the Networked Enabled Army (NEA) program.
EPE New Zealand Limited is providing the Skydio X2D quadcopter micro-UAS and the Flexnet RGS from Bertin Exensor. Criterion Solutions will deliver the Black Hornet nano UAS from Teledyne-FLIR and Quantum Systems will provide the Vector fixed-wing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS).
The contracts were awarded in September and October but values and total number of systems being delivered could not be disclosed. However, the RFP for the sUAS, which was released in May 2022, stated a requirement for 2-4 fixed-wing UAS, 18-30 micro RPAS and 30-40 nano UAS.
“These systems will be utilised by New Zealand Army for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, combat, and search and rescue operations,” Sarah Minson, Deputy Secretary Capability Delivery for the NZ Ministry of Defence, told ADM.
“The systems will improve the ability of New Zealand Army to undertake reconnaissance and surveillance operations in areas that may otherwise be dangerous to access, such as flood effected regions or combat zones.
“They will provide timely and accurate information for New Zealand Army activities planning and risk assessments. They will also reduce the risk to personnel.”
There is a slight delay as the intention was for contracts to have been signed by July 2023 with deliveries to soldiers by December.
According to the MoD the Army’s 2/1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment will operate the Skydio X2D, Flexnet RGS, and Black Hornet nano-UAS, whilst 16 Field Artillery will use the Vector eVTOL RPAS.
The Skydio X2D weighs 1.3kg and has a ruggedised airframe suited for military operations. It has a flight time of 35 minutes and is fitted with six 4k navigation cameras providing 360° obstacle avoidance. The X2D is also fitted with a 12MP colour camera and FLIR 320×256 thermal sensor and can be made ready for operations within 75 seconds.
The Flexnet RGS uses sensors and camera that can be monitored using a tablet or ruggedised personal digital assistant. Flexnet is scalable to it can be used to protect personnel or small assets or expanded to protect larger formation, sites or borders. The NZ MoD said Flexnet would “combine seismic, acoustic and infrared sensors to detect and identify moving objects.”
Weighing just 70g the Black Hornet 4 PRS G3 is used as a squad-level beyond line-of-sight surveillance asset to provide enhanced situational awareness using a thermal imager and tv camera. An advanced battery system means the Black Hornet has an endurance of 30 minutes operating at speeds up to 10m/s. The total transportable weight of the system and supporting equipment is 1.3kg
Meanwhile the Vector eVTOL RPAS has a take-off weight of 8.5kg and has a 2.8m-wide wingspan. The system can be prepared for operations in less than three minutes and provides surveillance out to a range of 35km with a flight time of 180 minutes. 16 Field Regiment uses the 105mm L119A1 howitzer and 81mm L16A2 and M8 mortar systems and using a RPAS will provide the Army with faster target acquisition and a more accurate fire support capability.
The MoD has also signed 10-year non-exclusive Master Supply Agreement for the through life support of the sUAS and RGS systems that covers the supply of software and hardware, spares and training.
The New Zealand Defence Force has undertaken trials and testing of numerous UAS over the years to assess capabilities and utility.
“The NZDF has an ongoing programme of experimentation, which informs the development of concepts of operation and user requirements. Experimentation with UAS over the preceding years contributed to this project,” Minson said.
“The New Zealand Army has a complete system of UAS regulation and training which includes both formal “in school” courses such as Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 101 & Part 102 RP; as well as unit training and compliance.”