The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) launched the Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge in July 2023.

The Sovereign UAS Challenge sought trusted, low-cost, sub-2 kg, and sovereign UAS solutions for training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance purposes.

Milestones

In November 2023 ASCA released a limited Invitation to Register (ITR). Following the limited ITR, 10 companies provided production plans and participated in a ‘fly-off’ demonstration in April 2024, receiving $110,000 (excluding GST) each for their participation.

Three Australian companies were down-selected, AMSL Aero, Boresight, and Grabba Technologies, with each securing a $2.2 million (excluding GST) contract to grow their production capacity, finalise development of their prototypes to a production standard, and produce 100 general-purpose drones.

Background

The Request for Information opened on 31 July 2023, through AusTender – Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Challenge and closed on 21 August 2023.

In July 2025, the challenge was successfully completed with the delivery of 300 sovereign general purpose drones to Defence.