Leidos delivers successful demonstration of integrated counter-drone capability for the Australian Defence Force

Last week, Leidos Australia and its Land 156 project partners demonstrated a mission-ready counter-drone capability for the Australian Defence Force, shooting down drones kinetically and non-kinetically, achieving a key milestone in advancing Australia’s ability to counter evolving aerial threats.

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

Leidos Australia 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”.

Acacia Systems CEO Bob Humphreys said: “Our team is committed to continuously adapting the sovereign Cortex C2 system to align with the warfighter’s priorities and counter the capabilities of the evolving threat.”

Department 13 CEO Ben Westgarth said: “Cutting edge technology, pioneering spirit, and an outstanding sense of collaboration have demonstrated clearly how Australian companies can develop critical capability for the Australian Defence Force. Department 13 is proud to be contributing our advanced drone detection and tracking systems, and we look forward to continuing to help build a sovereign industrial base for the future defence of Australia.”

Echodyne Chief Revenue Officer Todd Fraser said: “We are proud to be the radar system provider for this demonstration. 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.”

L3Harris Technologies Vice President and General Manager, Targeting and Sensor Systems, Tom Kirkland said: “VAMPIRE has been used extensively in support of European combat operations since 2023 and has successfully shot down hundreds of drones. Working together, this system will also help our allied partners in Australia defeat the rapidly growing threat of hostile drones accurately and affordably.”