Orbital UAV has begun the delivery of engine builds for Insitu Pacific’s next-generation tactical uncrewed aerial system (UAS) for the Australian Army.
In March 2022, the Australian government selected Boeing subsidiary Insitu Pacific as the supplier for the LAND 129 Phase 3 program.
Under the contract, Insitu will deliver and provide initial support for the Integrator UAS and deliver associated Ground Systems and Prime Systems Integrator services.
The Integrator is a tested expeditionary UAS equipped with enduring multi-domain effects to enable a 24/7 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability.
“Our suppliers bring home-grown, Australian innovation and ingenuity to the program,” said Andrew Duggan, managing director at Insitu Pacific.
The delivery of the Integrator system to the Australian Army underpins Insitu Pacific and Orbital UAV’s shared commitment to further develop sovereign capability, Duggan said.
It also supports the growth of businesses directly involved in the project, as well as their respective ecosystems of Australian suppliers, the managing director added.
Orbital UAV serves as Insitu’s primary engine supplier, making its proprietary manufacturing capability an integral part of the successful bid for the Army contract, Orbital said in its ASX announcement.
“We are incredibly proud to support Insitu Pacific in the delivery of the Integrator UAS to the Australian Army,” Todd Alder, chief executive and managing director of Orbital UAV.
“We have been working closely with the Insitu Pacific team over recent months to ensure the on-time delivery of their propulsion system requirements to support delivery of the Integrator to Army through 2023 and 2024,” Alder said.
Insitu Pacific’s Queensland-based team recently visited Orbital UAV’s Western Australia development and manufacturing facilities to see the Integrator engine production line in operation.
The team also explored the long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul requirements for the LAND 129 Phase 3 program.
