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Australia shortlists bidders for Shadow UAS replacement project

Shadow UAS
Australia Army photo of the Shadow 200 UAS at Tarin Kot base in Afghanistan

The Australian government has announced the four companies shortlisted for the replacement of the army’s Shadow 200 tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS).

The down-selected companies will now receive a detailed request for tender as part of the country’s project LAND 129 Phase 3.

Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd, Leidos Australia, Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd and Textron Systems Australia Pty Ltd will now be expected to further explore plans and conceptual integration designs.

The new UAS is expected to have a maximum take off weight of over 25 kilograms and less than 250 kilograms.

Deputy Director Army UAS Projects – Mr Andrew McKinnon said there are a number of local companies already involved in the Australian Defence Force’s unmanned systems space.

“These companies are encouraged to continue their engagement with the LAND 129 Phase 3 down-selected tenderers in order to deliver a world class capability,” Mr McKinnon said.

“Unmanned aerial systems are a key component of Army’s Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability, with some smaller unmanned systems recently being used on operation Bushfire Assist.”

The next phase of the project will focus on a competitive evaluation of more comprehensive tendered solutions from the four primes, prior to progressing the project to government consideration in 2021.

The Shadow UAS currently in service with the Australian Army was delivered in August 2011, following some 20 years of development. It carries a suite of high resolution cameras above patrolling troops to provide detailed information about activities on the ground. The air vehicle has approximately eight hours endurance. The air vehicles are rail-launched and have a 16′ wingspan, a gross weight of 208 kilograms, and are powered by a 29 kilowatt rotary engine.