Leidos Australia successfully demonstrates LAND156 capability to ADF

Melbourne-based Leidos Australia and its Project LAND156 partners have demonstrated a mission-ready counter-drone capability for the ADF, shooting down drones kinetically and non-kinetically and achieving a key milestone in advancing Australia’s ability to counter evolving aerial threats.

The EX Southern Arrow 25 live-fire event confirmed the effectiveness and successful integration of ADF systems to detect, track and neutralise small Group 1 and Group 2 drones in the field.

Leidos Australia, which was named as the winner of the LAND156 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) contract in August, validated and integrated core technologies, bringing together advanced sensors, effectors and command and control capabilities into a cohesive, mission-ready solution. Australian technologies included the Acacia Systems’ Cortex command-and-control system, EOS Defence Systems’ effector suite and Department 13’s sensor system, alongside Echodyne’s MESA radars and L3 Harris’ VAMPIRE laser-guided rocket system for detection, tracking, identification and defeat of small drones.

Leidos Australia Chief Executive Paul Chase said: “The development and successful trial of advanced counter-drone technology is a testament to Australia’s thriving innovation ecosystem and the technical expertise within our defence sector. We are proud to be part of the team strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability through mission-critical systems that can provide immediate tactical utility and long-term operational relevance”.

“We are proud to be the radar system provider for this demonstration,” said Todd Fraser, Echodyne Chief Revenue Officer. “The counter-drone capabilities being demonstrated here require accurate, actionable airspace data that ultimately saves lives and protects assets. Our radars deliver that data layer for the Land 156 team.”

EOS Chief Executive Dr Andreas Schwer said: “This demonstration shows how Australian industry can deliver complex capabilities, in partnership with Defence, at pace. As small drones reshape the battlespace, EOS’ effector technology provides proven protection as part of Australia’s counter-drone capability and demonstrates what sovereign capability can achieve.”

The L3Harris VAMPIRE has been used extensively in support of European combat operations since 2023 and has successfully shot down hundreds of drones, Tom Kirkland, L3Harris Technologies’ vice president and general manager, targeting and sensor systems said. “Working together, this system will also help our allied partners in Australia defeat the rapidly growing threat of hostile drones accurately and affordably.”