Nova Systems secures funding for weapons testing concept
24 August 22
The company has received government funding for a project aimed at delivering an innovative military training and weapons testing concept.
Nova Systems has been awarded a Defence Innovation Hub contract to develop two locally designed and manufactured ground expendable target (GET) concepts for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The GET concepts are expected to provide an in-country capability to support the testing of complex and potentially networked weapon systems.
The capability leverages Nova Systems’ Agile Ground Target System (AGTS) to provide an automated moving ground target for training personnel and testing advanced weapon systems.
According to Nova Systems, the project would support the Commonwealth government’s broader Sovereign Industry Capability priorities of test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance, as well as munitions and small arms research, design, development and manufacture.
Nova Systems CEO Jim McDowell said the GET concepts would better prepare ADF personnel for evolving threats in the battlespace.
“We need to develop training which accurately represents these encounters, to ensure our ADF personnel can train in realistic scenarios,” McDowell said.
“To address this capability shortfall, Nova Systems developed an automated agile ground target vehicle capable of high-speed, cross country and agile operations.
“If successful, the system could provide the ADF with tailorable threat engagement scenarios capable of simulating high speed and agile adversaries in a training or test environment on any ADF range, ensuring they are fully prepared for current and future conflicts.”
McDowell said the capability could support the development of techniques, tactics and procedures, ongoing training, and verification and validation of new weapons.
Nova Systems has committed to engaging with Australian industry in the operation and support of the system if the capability is selected by Defence.
The company would also leverage the local supply chain for maintenance and spares, ongoing engineering development and transportation to site.
Nova Systems’ prototype AGTV was demonstrated to Defence and DIH at Delamere Air Weapons Range.
The AGTV reportedly demonstrated the ability to navigate various terrains at different speeds while controlled over long-range telemetry link.
Source: Defence Connect