Leidos Australia has been selected as the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) systems integration partner for its counter-drone program, Project Land 156. The $45.9 million contract will see Leidos deliver a sovereign command-and-control capability and advanced counter-drone sensors and effectors, to protect against group one and two Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) threats.
As the systems integrator, Leidos will provide the ADF with immediate tactical utility and long-term operational relevance through a modular and scalable CsUAS (Counter-Small UAS) capability, designed to support various deployments and evolve with the threat landscape.
At the centre of the Leidos solution is the Acacia Cortex Command and Control (C2) platform. The operationally demonstrated system developed by long-term Leidos Australia partner, Acacia Systems, supports rapid sensor and effector configuration and integration through an open-standard interface.
The Australian C2 system is designed to fuse data from all sensors, generate a coherent threat picture, and manage effector cueing and engagement workflows. It is engineered to operate under a human-in-the-loop command framework.
Delivering counter-UAS solutions to Australia draws on Leidos’ extensive experience in the US, where it already provides a mature counter-UAS aerial system capability built around its AirShield architecture. The system has been trialled in U.S. Department of Defense environments, with production and operational fielding underway.
Leidos Australia Chief Executive, Paul Chase said, “We’re proud to bring our deep systems integration experience, sovereign capabilities, global expertise and proven systems together for Land 156. We look forward to working with the Commonwealth, the ADF, and selected capability partners to fast-track proven capabilities and deliver an agile, trusted, and enduring counter-UAS system for our Defence Force. Having worked with Acacia systems for more than 10 years, we have developed a trusted and proven delivery partnership. We’re pleased to be continuing that relationship on this project and working with our local SMEs partners to maximise Australian industry capability in the delivery of sustainable sovereign support,” said Chase.
Australian government officials said the overwhelming majority of the work under Project Land 156 will be delivered by Australian companies, supporting over 160 Australian jobs and creating up to 80 new jobs. The open architecture approach to the project means more companies can be integrated in the future, providing more opportunities for the Australian supply chain.
This investment will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Under this project, the Australian Army will undertake an initial rapid demonstration of a minimum viable counter-drone capability by December 2025, which will include:
- An Australian command and control capability – the Cortex Command and Control System, developed by Acacia Systems;
- An Australian effector system, delivered by EOS Defence Systems;
- An Australian sensor system, delivered by Department 13;
- Additional sensor and effector systems; and
- Services including systems integration and capability assurance, which will be delivered in Australia by Australians.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “This project is both a benchmark and a blueprint for how we continue to deliver speed to capability. The structure of Project Land 156 will ensure Australia stays ahead of the evolution cycle in relation to counter-drone technology, giving the ADF the capabilities it needs. Counter-drone technology is critical to keeping our ADF members safe, and that’s why the Government is ensuring our soldiers, sailors and aviators are provided with the best technology to protect them.”
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