Innovaero
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Two Australian companies, Innovaero and Boeing subsidiary Insitu Pacific (IPL), intend to collaborate to develop a new loitering munition and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) combination for the Australian Department of Defense. The new system will provide Australia with a long-range strike capability using uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The combination includes IPL's "Integrator" ISR UAS and Perth-based Innovaero’s "One-Way Loitering" (OWL) munition.
“This unified approach would combine uncrewed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and long-range strike capabilities to rapidly deliver direct effects in the engagement zone without the need for crews in larger air assets being put at risk,” said Andrew Duggan, Managing Director of Insitu Pacific in a press release.
“The concept is designed to achieve seamless integration with current Australian Defence Force systems, including the Integrator, and offers great potential to become an integral strike asset," he added.
The IPL "Integrator" is, according to IPL, an advanced version of the UAS and is designed to provide Group 4 and 5 capabilities in a Group 3 UAS. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FDA), "Groups 4 and 5 are the largest of DoD UAS, weighing over 1,320 pounds [(598 kg)] and operating at all speeds and altitudes. Group 4 aircraft operate at all altitudes, usually below 18,000 feet [(5,486 meters), mean sea level (MSL)]. Group 5 aircraft typically operate well above 18,000 feet MSL." Group 3 are UAS that weigh more than 55 pounds [(25 kg)] and less than 1,320 pounds, operate below 18,000 feet, and have a top speed of 250 knots (463 kph).
With the addition of satellite-enabled beyond line of sight (SATCOM BLOS), the "Integrator" UAS is capable of extended ranges that can help reduce logistical challenges and improve the safety of field personnel. According to IPL, "Integrator" has over one million operational hours of experience, making it one of the most innovative and reliable unmanned aircraft systems available in the industry today.
Innovaero's "OWL," developed in collaboration with BAE Systems Australia, is an electrically-powered munition with a maximum range of nearly 124 miles (200 km). It can loiter at a range of 62 miles (100 km) for up to 30 minutes. According to Innovaero, precision targeting of stationary and moving targets is achieved using an electro-optical/infrared camera. Additionally, it has a range of anti-armor and fragmentation warheads that can weigh up to 15 pounds (7 kg).
"Together, the companies will develop, test, and field the collaborative system using Insitu Pacific’s common ground control station (GCS) and INEXA software to control UAS and long-range OWLs. Operators would command both assets through the common GCS," explains Innovaero. The announcement strengthens the partnership between Insitu Pacific and Innovaero to develop Australian technology for uncrewed aerial systems, as outlined in a Memorandum of Agreement established in July 2021.
“The versatility of the proposed combined ISR and strike solution provides a significantly shorter ‘sensor to shooter’ loop to engage emerging threats,” said Simon Grosser, Innovaero Group CEO. “Our collaboration with Insitu Pacific builds on our work with Defence in Australia to develop an Australian loitering munitions capability and offers an integrated solution for long-range UAS target detection and effective engagement," he added.
Development and testing for the Integrator/OWL system will continue through 2023.
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