The Australian government is soliciting industry proposals for counter-drone measures through a project under its Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator program. Called Mission Syracuse, the project focuses on the rapid development of advanced technologies for intercepting uncrewed aerial systems that the Australian Defence Force can integrate into its existing counter-small uncrewed aerial systems, or CsUAS.
The project aims to help Australian industry and research organizations provide viable sovereign options for mitigating small UAS threats. Proposals on advanced technologies need to address the protection of deployed forces through the defense and security of infrastructure and expeditionary bases, ground personnel and their equipment, and all ADF vehicles.
Two-Stage Procurement Process
ASCA is undertaking Mission Syracuse through a two-stage procurement approach. Stage 1 seeks high-level requests for proposals to evaluate and shortlist proponents based on mission requirements. The RFP submission deadline is June 6.
The short-listed potential suppliers will be invited to Stage 2 to submit a more detailed proposal, including budget, system design explanation, and project implementation plan. In this stage of Mission Syracuse, one or more suppliers may be selected for the contract award, with project delivery completion by December 2027.
Maj. Gen. Hugh Meggitt, head of ASCA, said the project will help provide funding for “cutting-edge systems” for domestic and international use. “By partnering with Australian industry and research organizations, ASCA seeks to deliver the best available sovereign capability options to the warfighter,” the official said.
Mission Syracuse is in synch with the LAND 156 initiative to deliver a comprehensive CSUAS capability for the ADF. The mission follows ASCA’s January contract awards to two Australian companies under Mission Black Thorn, which seeks rapid development of technology to degrade potential adversaries’ integrated air and missile defence systems.