Two Australian companies to participate in Canadian C-UAS exercise

Two Australian Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) companies have been selected to participate in the third edition of the Canadian Department of National Defence’s 2024 C-UAS Sandbox exercise in May and June. This year’s event is centred on detecting and defeating Micro and Mini UAS.

Participants will demonstrate advanced prototypes with potential for post-Sandbox development and funding. The challenge focuses on integrating these technologies into military command and control systems and includes specific operational scenarios and methodologies. Prizes are also awarded for innovative solutions, and a new CUAS Concept development section is seeking funding for low Technology Readiness Level concepts.

AIM Defence’s Fractl high-power laser system will be pitted against Canada’s ‘Red Team’ drones in a series of real-world test scenarios at the 2024 C-UAS Sandbox, hosted under Canada’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.

And Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems will return to the sandbox, having previously taken part in 2022. The company this year will demonstrate its Titanis integrated, end-to-end C-UAS system which includes both DE and RF systems and a Bushmaster M230 30mm cannon as well as a full sensor suite.

Altogether, fifteen advanced counter-UAS (CUAS) prototypes in development globally will be demonstrated during the three-week exercise. It is the first year that high power lasers such as Fractl have been included in the Sandbox exercise, which is centred on detecting and defeating micro and mini drones.

Lightweight, portable and battery-powered, Fractl generates enough energy to burn through steel and can shoot down a UAS travelling at 100km/hour from a kilometre away. Fractl’s targeting system, which can be remotely operated from anywhere in the world, is also capable of integrating with military sensor suites and command and control systems.

“Autonomous and remotely-operated attack drones have become a prolific and increasing asymmetric threat both in conflict zones and to public safety,” AIM Defence co-founder Dr Jae Daniel said. “The Sandbox is an important opportunity for AIM Defence to demonstrate Fractl’s precision tracking and targeting in a variety of defensive operations”

The Canadian Joint Operations Command is leading Canada’s CUAS effort, coordinating with the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) to evaluate and fund emerging CUAS solutions.

The Sandbox exercise will be overseen by Canadian Armed Forces personnel as well as military and science experts from the United States Government – Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police end-users.

Fusing AI-enabled precision tracking with DE laser technology, AIM Defence’s Fractl suite of counter-drone systems deliver millimetre target accuracy at a distance of one kilometre, while being more than 10 times smaller, lighter, and safer than current defensive directed energy systems being trialled, the company says.

The 2024 CUAS Sandbox will run from May to June 2024 in Alberta, Canada.