SYPAQ Systems is now delivering the Corvo X Small Uncrewed Aerial System (SUAS) into the DEF 129 program, providing an autonomous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability to the ADF.
Following on from this success, the company says the Corvo X will be available for export customers in 2026.
Corvo X is an SUAS, featuring a thrust vectored Vertical Take Off and Landing configuration that delivers endurance in extreme weather conditions.
“It is an incredible time to be developing a game-changing competitive advantage to our Australian service men and women, as well as having this technology available to our trusted international partners,” Amanda Holt, SYPAQ CEO, said. “In a world with continually changing capability demands, we are absolutely delighted to prove that Australian Defence Industry can support allied nations through AUKUS and other multi-lateral agreements.”
SYPAQ’s Corvo X SUAS utilises Australian technologies such as Codan|DTC’s recently announced Sentry 6161 mesh radio.
“Collaborating with SYPAQ to deliver our Australian manufactured, combat proven, low latency communications technology is critical to our future export programs. DEF 129 is an exciting opportunity bringing this important sovereign communications capability into service," Matt Jones, SVP for Codan|DTC, said.
Amanda Holt, Sypaq Systems chief executive officer, told ADM the CorvoX UAS would replace the Army’s ageing Aerovironment Wasp small UAS.
“This is something that is going to be approved for export and as a result we are going to start pursuing those innovation markets,” she said.
The first will be delivered by year’s end. Endurance is just under an hour with an operational radius of five kilometres.
“This is the new small UAS, manpackable, 1.4 kilogram system we are delivering into Army under the DEF129 program,” she said.
“The whole point of this is eyes in the sky for combat teams, infantry on the ground. The wingtips come off and it all folds down so it is very portable for them, easy for them to pull out of the backpack and fly it when they need to.”
The CorvoX design gives the advantage of vertical takeoff with the long endurance of a fixed wing drone.
“The revolutionary part is in the vectored thrust airframe. We have worked really hard to make a really small footprint on the soldier, trying to make this as sovereign as possible,” she said.
Sypaq attracted wide interest through its supply of so-called cardboard ISR drones to Ukraine, a continuing user of this innovative technology. These are actually made of coated styrofoam material, delivered in flatpack form and assembled with a hot glue gun.