Commonwealth support takes Innovaero OWL B loitering munition into next phase

Perth-based Innovaero will accelerate development of Australia’s first sovereign precision loitering munition capability following a new agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia.

The aeronautical engineering company will move into a third phase in the development of the OWL B precision loitering munition with the manufacture, test, and evaluation of the capability to further refine its performance, reliability, and interoperability with existing ADF assets.

The contract award follows a series of live fire tests overseen by the Company, Commonwealth agencies and the Australian Army in 2023 and 2024, where the system completed successful flight tests and payload integration.

“This new phase builds on these successful tests and positions us to deliver a combat-ready system that meets the evolving needs of modern warfare,” said Marcus Colman, Innovaero’s CEO, who added the new OWL B contract underscores the Company’s commitment to establishing a world class, sovereign guided weapons capability.

“This brings us one step closer to getting this world leading capability into the hands of the operator.”

The milestone represented a critical step towards operational readiness and would involve further development, manufacture, and rigorous testing of new units, the company says.

The OWL B system, designed to provide a tactical advantage in various operational scenarios, represents a significant advance in precision loitering munition technology. Its development aligns with the Commonwealth’s push for greater sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) capabilities and reduced reliance on foreign military technologies.

“Our progress with OWL B exemplifies the potential of Australian innovation in the defence sector,” Mr Colman said. “We’re not just developing a product, we’re establishing a pathway for an entirely Australian-designed, built, and tested capability that can respond to emerging threats with agility and precision.”

As global conflicts continue to highlight the crucial role of autonomous systems and precision loitering munitions, the OWL B program positions Australia at the forefront of this critical defence capability, the company believes. Successful completion of Phase 3 will mark a major milestone for the nation’s defence industry, highlighting the capacity for high-end sovereign military technology development.