Posted on
Adelaide-based defence software company Acacia Systems has collaborated with Defence Science and Technology Group, Adelaide University, Curtin University and Saab Australia to produce new technology that provides greater precision over a larger surveillance area.
The project set out to improve operational performance of undersea surveillance by increasing the accuracy and range of automatic detection, as well as the tracking and localisation of undersea threats.
These advancements are critical as the Royal Australian Navy operates in increasingly complex ocean environments and faces growing challenges from advanced undersea vessels. These challenges were identified by Defence as a priority for research under the former Remote Undersea Surveillance STaR Shot program.
The project successfully delivered three key outcomes:
- Improved potential for the automatic detection of undersea threats beyond current capabilities
- Options for more accurate placement of sensors, with a higher degree of tracking
- Successfully integrated Acacia’s Onyx platform with Saab’s combat management system, providing integration within Australia’s warship combat system network.
Collectively, these achievements have led to further engagement with Defence Science and Technology Group and Navy to explore opportunities to transition the solutions into an operational capability.
“The success of the Activator project benefitted enormously from having an absolute clarity of vision – to enhance Australia’s sovereign capability in autonomous undersea surveillance aligned with one of Defence’s investment priorities focused on undersea warfare and uncrewed maritime systems, said Acacia Systems CEO Bob Humphreys.
“Acacia will be continuing R&D efforts leveraging the success of the program and intends integrating the research outcomes into its world-class Onyx automatic threat detection and tracking system in the coming 12 months.”
