Defence has appointed Leidos Australia as its Land 156 Systems Integration Partner in a $45.9 million contract announced today.
“While all eyes are on the accelerating evolution of drone warfare in Ukraine, their use is proliferating in conflicts around the world,” Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, stated.
“This is acutely relevant to every defence force, in every country. Australia is no exception.”
Under the contract, Leidos will deliver and adapt the ADF's Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) capability.
The company will also deliver a sovereign command-and-control capability and advanced counter-drone sensors and effectors, to protect against group one and two Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) threats.
“We’re proud to bring our deep systems integration experience, sovereign capabilities, global expertise and proven systems together for Land 156,” Leidos Australia Chief Executive, Paul Chase said.
“We look forward to working with the Commonwealth, the ADF, and selected capability partners to fast-track proven capabilities and deliver an agile, trusted, and enduring counter-UAS system for our Defence Force.”
Leidos, through its role as Systems Integrator, will provide the ADF with a modular and scalable Counter-Small UAS (CsUAS) capability. It will partner with Acacia Systems to deliver an initial CsUAS capability by December 2025, to enable the detection, tracking and neutralisation of drones.
The initial capability will be demonstrated at a live-fire event, Southern Arrow 25, in December 2025.
Leidos’ solution includes the Acacia Cortex Command and Control (C2) platform. The system was developed by Acacia Systems and supports rapid sensor and effector configuration and integration through an open-standard interface.
“Having worked with Acacia systems for more than 10 years, we have developed a trusted and proven delivery partnership. We’re pleased to be continuing that relationship on this project and working with our local SMEs partners to maximise Australian industry capability in the delivery of sustainable sovereign support,” Chase said.
The Australian C2 system is designed to fuse data from all sensors, generate a coherent threat picture, and manage effector cueing and engagement workflows. It is engineered to operate under a human-in-the-loop command framework.
Leidos already provides a mature counter-UAS aerial system capability for the US built around its AirShield architecture. The system has been trialled in US Department of Defense environments, with production and operational fielding underway.
Department 13 has also been included in Land 156 and will work with Leidos Australia, and collaborate with industry partners such as EOS, Acacia, L3 Harris Technologies, and Echodyne.
"We are proud to be selected as Australia’s preferred supplier of electronic warfare capability for the Land 156 project,” Chief Executive Office and Chief Technical Officer at Department 13, Ben Westgarth, stated.
"Our world-leading technology and expertise in developing counter drone systems will play a crucial role in building solutions to protect our armed forces and our nation from the rapid proliferation of UAS threats."
The partnership will focus on delivering advanced technology that supports the ADF's operational capabilities.
Under Land 156, the Australian Army will undertake an initial rapid demonstration of a minimum viable counter-drone capability by December 2025, which will include:
- An Australian command and control capability – the Cortex Command and Control System, developed by Acacia Systems.
- An Australian effector system, delivered by EOS Defence Systems.
- An Australian sensor system, delivered by Department 13.
- Additional sensor and effector systems; and
- Services including systems integration and capability assurance.
Through Land 156 Australia will be acquiring the EOS Slinger, which is an Australian-made remote weapon system primarily used in Ukraine to counter drones.
The system, which features a 30mm stabilised cannon, integrated radar, and advanced targeting software, provides a solution for destroying drones and protecting critical infrastructure. The Slinger mounts a 30x113mm M230LF Bushmaster Chain Gun capable of firing proximity-fuse and high-explosive rounds.
The news comes just six months after the establishment of Land 156 to continuously deliver counter-drone capability for the ADF.
“Last year, I announced we had acquired the Switchblade 300 precision loitering munition, providing a critical combat edge and adding to drone capabilities available to the ADF, and adding to our arsenal of drones, including those capable of being armed,” Minister Conroy stated.
“Soon, we will also announce a new capability for the Army – a sovereign medium-range precision loitering munition system - developed under ASCA’s Mission Talon Strike.”
It has allocated over $10 billion for drone and counter-drone technology and autonomous systems in Defence’s Integrated Investment Program.
$1.3 billion has also been set aside for acquisition of counter-drone capabilities, which includes Land 156.
Edited 29/08, 0941: The article previously stated that EOS Slinger mounts a 30mm Bushmaster chain gun capable of firing proximity-fuse, high-explosive, or armour-piercing rounds. It actually mounts a 30x113mm M230LF Bushmaster Chain Gun capable of firing proximity-fuse and high-explosive rounds.