Insitu Pacific to deliver new TUAS for Army

Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd has been named preferred supplier by the Australian Government to provide the new Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System (TUAS) to the Australian Army under Project LAND129 Phase 3.  The company will manufacture twenty-four new ‘Integrator’ uncrewed aerial surveillance systems, consisting of the platforms, associated ground systems and integration services as part of a $650 million investment announced last week. The majority of manufacture and all assembly will be undertaken in Australia. The acquisition and initial contract period with Insitu Pacific Limited is worth $307 million.

“The introduction of Integrator’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities will be a significant force multiplier for the complex challenges Army faces today and in the future,” said Andrew Duggan managing director of Insitu Pacific.

Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Integrator will provide Army with enhanced abilities to gather intelligence, undertake reconnaissance and surveillance missions, and acquire targets for weapons systems across the Australian Defence Force.

“This project will enhance the Australian Army’s capabilities by harnessing the innovation and cutting-edge technologies being developed right here in Australia,” Minister Dutton said. “Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd will manufacture the new platform at their facility in Brisbane and integrate components provided by suppliers from around Queensland and across Australia.”

To support the delivery of this capability, the Morrison Government will also invest $56million in facilities at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera. The project will also see an upgrade to a number of Army’s Bushmasters, and associated sustainment over the next decade.

The Integrator is a proven, expeditionary, open-architecture UAS in service globally. As part of its solution for Army, Insitu Pacific’s existing supply base has been supplemented with a team of over 20 Australian suppliers including Ascent Vision Technologies Australia, Orbital UAV, Nova Systems Australia, LSM Advanced Composites and Jayben Group.

Australian suppliers will directly support critical capabilities for UAS growth and sustainability through the life of the system, including sensing and software, advanced materials and propulsion, and seamless integration with existing and planned Australian Defence Force systems.

The introduction of Integrator builds on Insitu Pacific’s experience in delivering solutions for Australian defence customers with ScanEagle deployed to Iraq (2006) and Afghanistan (2007) in support of Australian Forces, and continued ScanEagle service in the Australian Navy’s 822X Squadron.

Under the contract, production is scheduled to begin in early 2022 with delivery expected through 2023 and 2024.