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Brisbane-based GaardTech has officially revealed its 3D robotic tank target, which is capable of 30 kilometres of cross country movement and can be operated remotely or autonomously as part of a larger enemy formation.
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GaardTech will be exhibiting as part of Team Defence Australia at MSPO, DSEI and AUSA to showcase Australian made advanced training systems to Europe and the US, where they aim to partner expand in the coming years.
"The constant push to innovate and advance our target offering as been challenging but very pleasing, and return ADF customers have been impressed after attending robotic tank target demonstration days at our Brisbane factory," Steen Bisgaard, founding director of GaardTech commented.
"This is a sign that we are truly enabling advanced training design and as a small firm, are leading the market in terms of cost-effective design and end-user understanding."
Bisgaard explained the growing importance of highly capable and adaptable targets, saying, "Militaries no longer need expensive and borderline relic infrastructure training systems to run basic live-fire training scenarios. Furthermore, as was demonstrated on the RAAF’s Diamond Storm 19 and the Australian Army/USMC Talisman Sabre HIMARS shoot, more than just AFV’s and tanks benefit from GaardTech’s offering."
"This year we have seen ARH-Tiger, F-18s, HIMARS, M777 and a number of surveillance systems gain exposure to GaardTech’s 2D and 3D targets," Bisgaard added.
GaardTech is an Australian-owned, veteran founded defence innovation company. Its product offerings range from full size, highly detailed metal 2D tank and AFV targets to full-size metal 3D robotic military targets, which all contain active thermal cells.
What makes these metal military targets so innovative is their flat-packed transportation and shipping method, which sees 10 T-80 full-size tank targets packed into one 20-foot intermodal container. Finally, they are able to be hand-assembled with no specialist tooling or lift equipment, enabling simple range set up and disassembly.
They have been proven to withstand the punishment of the 120mm cannon, and provide training value and training design opportunities as they do not require fixed range infrastructure.
Defence Connect spoke with Steen Bisgaard of GaardTech in 2018 to discuss the role of the company's target training systems in enhancing the combat capabilities of the ADF.
The full Defence Connect podcast with Steen Bisgaard is available here.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
