Additive manufacturing company Titomic will manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles, soldier systems and soldier sensors for TAUV under a 12-month, $1.8 million defence program announced on Monday.
The agreement builds on the existing relationship between the two companies which culminated with the successful launch of the Titomic manufactured, TAUV ruggedized drone prototype at Land Forces 2018.
This was followed up with the signing of a MoU for a further two-phase extension to the relationship that will see TAUV licence the Titomic’s patented Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) technology to manufacture next-gent soldier systems.
Under phase II Titomic will deliver a feasibility report to TAUV outlining the various performance parameters, mechanical properties and product cost advantages of the Titomic technology including proof of concept prototypes.
To maintain exclusivity, TAUV must execute Phase II, outlining the Specific Products on or before 30th November 2018, at a total Phase cost of $300,000.
Phase III will comprise of Titomic designing and engineering a manufacturing process for TAUV’s soldier system for up to five different specific products at a total cost of $300,000 per product for a total revenue of $1.5 million.
On successful completion of production and evaluation trials, TAUV will finalise product licenses with Titomic to use the TKF technology automated production line systems to manufacture soldier system products with ongoing royalty payments to Titomic.
Titomic Managing Director Jeffrey Lang said the MoU with TAUV provides the first significant revenue for the company.
“The granting of an exclusive license to TAUV for the production of soldier systems further validates Titomic’s licensed CSIRO patents as a viable additive manufacturing process that enables Australian companies to manufacture cutting-edge products with competitive advantages for the global market,” he added.
TAUV Director Nathan Kalisch said the soldier system products produced by Titomic’s TFK process will enhance the offering to defence and law enforcement agencies through improved strength, functionality and capability.
“A new ruggedised UAV will be capable of deployment in dangerous, live combat situations to perform some of the direct combat roles we want to remove military personnel from, heightening their security,” Mr Kalisch concluded.
