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The recent memorandum of understanding between the companies is designed to develop concepts, products and technical solutions for uncrewed platforms.
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According to a statement from Orbital UAV, the MoU will extend to areas where both companies overlap in regard to the needs of the customer, with executives committing to meet at least once a year to share market intelligence and find areas for collaboration.
“We are delighted to announce this collaboration with Anduril – a truly pioneering company focused on delivering next generation military technology,” Todd Alder, chief executive officer and managing director of Orbital UAV, said.
“The MoU represents an opportunity to demonstrate not only our superior heavy fuel engine capability but supports Orbital UAV to take the first steps toward building a long-term partnership to support Anduril’s growing portfolio of hardware and software products.”
Anduril, founded in 2017, has entered into a contract with the United States Special Operations Command valued at almost US$1 billion to provide support for SOCOM’s counter-uncrewed systems capabilities.
“Orbital UAV’s proven technologies and established expertise in the aerospace industry with their foundation in engine design and manufacturing has the potential to support Anduril’s current UAS programs and our commitment to building cutting-edge technology at speed,” David Goodrich, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Anduril Australia and Asia-Pacific, said.
“Unlike most defence companies, we don’t wait for our customers to tell us what they need. We identify problems, privately fund R&D and sell finished products off the shelf. Orbital has a desire to diversify and understands the need to project and develop systems ahead of customer demand. We look forward to a long collaborative relationship with Orbital, both in the United States and Australia.”
Earlier in the week, Anduril Industries, which announced its expansion into Australia earlier this year, commenced commercial negotiations with Defence for a co-funded design, development and manufacturing program for extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles (XL-AUVs).
The three-year deal – worth an estimated AU$140 million – is expected to involve capability assessment and prototyping, with three platforms set to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy over the course of the program.
The XL-AUV is billed as an affordable, autonomous, long endurance, multi-mission capable AUV.
