Australia, United Kingdom, and United States Launch Robotic Development Programs
Australia, as a low-population country with extensive territory to defend, is set to become a testing ground for unmanned systems under the newly formed AUKUS alliance. The agreement, which stands for Australia, United Kingdom, and United States, has two main pillars: the procurement of nuclear-powered submarines and the advancement of robotic weapon systems. Ten months after the alliance was announced, cooperative programs focusing on unmanned systems are already underway.
During a panel discussion organized by the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., Emily Hilder, interim head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator at the Australian Department of Defence, expressed excitement over the progress being made. She noted that the momentum seen in the United States is beginning to take hold in Australia and the United Kingdom as well.
The three nations have also identified electronic warfare as a priority, with plans to work together on this front. The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, Australia’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, and the Defence and Security Accelerator in the United Kingdom will collaborate on a challenge statement to address this issue.
Australia’s geographical challenges and relatively small population have motivated its military to invest in the development of robotic systems. According to Brig. James Davis, the Australian army’s director general of future land warfare, autonomous systems are essential for bridging the gap in such a vast geography with limited human resources.
The Royal Australian Air Force is also embracing unmanned systems to enhance its capabilities. Air Commodore Ross Bender, director general air combat capability, highlighted the advantage of autonomous systems in extending reach and persistence. With a limited number of aircraft, autonomous systems offer a cost-effective solution for expanding the air domain’s capabilities.
Australia has already made headway in developing unmanned systems, such as the Boeing-built Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft and the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton long-endurance surveillance unmanned aircraft. Additionally, the Royal Australian Navy has two local programs underway: the Ghost Shark unmanned underwater systems developed by Anduril Australia and the BlueBottle uncrewed surface vessel developed by Ocius Technology Ltd.
Capt. Adam Allica, director of general warfare innovation at the Royal Australian Navy, stressed that the aim is not to replace the defense force but to enhance it with asymmetric effects. With considerable ocean territory to protect, unmanned systems provide the navy with the necessary capabilities to deliver effective outcomes.
Furthermore, collaboration between the three AUKUS nations presents an opportunity to develop swarms of inexpensive drones, as demonstrated by the Pentagon’s Replicator program. This cooperative effort can harness Australia’s small and medium-sized businesses and their industrial capability. Scaling up production to achieve low-cost, rapidly produced swarms can leverage the potential of these smaller uncrewed systems.
The cooperation between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States extends beyond unmanned systems. The agreement represents a commitment to developing a robust defense ecosystem that includes a mix of large and small, inexpensive and high-end platforms. The goal is to create a system of systems that can work together to provide security for the nation.
In terms of international collaboration, the Royal Australian Air Force has signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force for collaborative combat aircraft, also known as robotic wingmen. This concept explores the integration of robotic systems alongside piloted aircraft to enhance combat capabilities.
While the three nations have made significant progress in their collaborative efforts, there is still much to be done. The AUKUS alliance aims to deliver real-world capabilities by leveraging the collective strengths of its member countries. By working together, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are paving the way for advancements in unmanned systems and other emerging technologies.
As the alliance moves forward, the focus will be on aligning capabilities and fostering innovation. With Australia’s small population and close proximity between the member nations, collaboration becomes easier, enhancing the connectivity within the services and the wider defense organization.
In the future, the AUKUS allies will continue to work on various technology development programs, with a shared vision of creating a secure and technologically advanced defense ecosystem. Through their joint efforts, these nations will shape the future of robotic systems and set new standards for defense capabilities.
Overall, the AUKUS alliance marks a significant step forward in the development of unmanned systems and emerging technologies. As the alliance progresses, the collaboration between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States will drive innovation and ensure the security and defense of their respective nations.
