• Army officer LTCOL Jason Medley prepares to install a Silvershield electronic force protection system, designed for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces to counter radio-controlled improvised explosive devices. Credit: Defence
    Army officer LTCOL Jason Medley prepares to install a Silvershield electronic force protection system, designed for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces to counter radio-controlled improvised explosive devices. Credit: Defence
  • The Redwing suite of counter-IED devices, developed by DST Group, has won the inaugural Public Sector Innovation Award from the Institute of Public Sector Administration Australia (IPAA) during a small ceremony, held in Canberra, 27 July 2016. Credit: Defence
    The Redwing suite of counter-IED devices, developed by DST Group, has won the inaugural Public Sector Innovation Award from the Institute of Public Sector Administration Australia (IPAA) during a small ceremony, held in Canberra, 27 July 2016. Credit: Defence
  • Unit patch worn by Australian Army officer Major Jason Perkins, Staff Officer, Strategic Plans and Operations Integration Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Directorate, Headquarters Resolute Support, Kabul, Afghanistan. Credit: Defence
    Unit patch worn by Australian Army officer Major Jason Perkins, Staff Officer, Strategic Plans and Operations Integration Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Directorate, Headquarters Resolute Support, Kabul, Afghanistan. Credit: Defence
  • L3 Micreo at MilCIS 2017. Credit: ADM Patrick Durrant
    L3 Micreo at MilCIS 2017. Credit: ADM Patrick Durrant
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L3 Micreo to locally produce Silvershield counter IED systems

19 March 2018
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A new force protection capability designed to protect against the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is now being manufactured in Australia, following an agreement between Defence and Queensland based company L-3 Micreo. 

Silvershield is an advanced vehicle mounted system which will provide additional protection against mobile phone IED threats for Afghanistan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF). 

Silvershield is the latest variant of vehicle mounted force protection systems provided to the Afghan National Defence and Security Force under the Australian Defence sponsored Redwing Program. Credit: Defence
Silvershield is the latest variant of vehicle mounted force protection systems provided to the Afghan National Defence and Security Force under the Australian Defence sponsored Redwing Program. Credit: Defence
Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne, said the technology developed under the Redwing program was a testament to the innovation and dedication of all involved.  

“Redwing is a program of specialised force protection systems designed by the Defence Science and Technology Group to counter specific radio controlled IEDs in support of ANDSF,” Minister Payne said. 

“IEDs continue to be the weapon of choice for insurgents in Afghanistan and due to their nature will likely remain a persistent and evolving threat to the ANDSF.” 

“For this reason the Redwing program will continue to research and develop new product variants to meet this evolving threat.”

Minister Payne said Silvershield had undergone testing in both Australia and Afghanistan, with the development team engaging closely with those who would be using the system on the ground.

“The Redwing program is a well-known example of successful collaboration with industry, and Silvershield is no exception,” she said.

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said that Silvershield is an exemplar of Defence and industry collaboration. 

 

The Australian-made device can protect vehicles from radio and mobile phone-triggered IEDs and was designed by the Defence Science and Technology Group in conjunction with the Joint Counter Improvised Threat Task Force. Credit: Defence
The Australian-made device can protect vehicles from radio and mobile phone-triggered IEDs and was designed by the Defence Science and Technology Group in conjunction with the Joint Counter Improvised Threat Task Force. Credit: Defence

“Silvershield’s expedient production demonstrates Australian industry’s ability to meet and surpass the challenge of high volume and time critical manufacturing,” Minister Pyne said. 

“This order with L-3 Micreo valued at $26.9 million will see 13,000 Silvershield systems manufactured and produced here in Australia. 

“Together with previous years, this will bring the total value of Redwing generated Australian exports to greater than $84M,” Minister Pyne said. 

“The Redwing suite of counter IED devices has won an innovation award from the Institute of Public Sector Administration Australia and the Clunies Ross Knowledge Commercialisation Award,” Minister Pyne said. 

Since 2015, Redwing has successfully manufactured and delivered more than 180,000 life-saving systems to the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, National Directorate of Security and Afghanistan Parliamentary Security Forces
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