NIOA, Hydrix partner on counter-drone capabilities for the Australian Defence Force

Under the agreement, Hydrix will provide electronic design and development support to NIOA for its telemetry capable inert proximity fuse and kinetic effector sUAS payload package.

This collaboration will include electronic design integration of the payload and sUAS host platform utilising a standardised interface plus the integration of payload proximity sensors and Electronic, Safe and Arm Function device.

The all-Australian partnership combines NIOA’s expertise in explosive ordnance design, manufacturing and qualification, with Hydrix’s role as the electronic designer and integrator of the payload subsystems.

“The onboarding of Australian SME partners to support development of critical technologies is an important step towards establishment of sovereign capabilities to accelerate our asymmetric deterrence,” said NIOA Australia-New Zealand chief executive officer Ben James.

“NIOA is delighted to be partnering with Hydrix to bring our collective experience, capacity and industry knowledge on electronic fusing and warhead technologies to bear in order to provide the men and women of the ADF with sovereign, battle-ready counter UAS capabilities.”

With the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East showing how uncrewed aerial systems are increasingly being employed in conflict, the development of sovereign counter-drone solutions and accompanying kinetic effector payloads supporting these solutions are essential to ensure the ADF can deter these threats.

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“NIOA’s selection of Hydrix demonstrates that our strategy to expand our presence in Australia’s sovereign defence technologies capability is on track,” Hydrix executive chairman Gavin Coote said.

“The NIOA project builds on our experience in the design, development and integration of critical subsystems in counter-UAS applications to expand domestic capability.”