The Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge is providing a trusted, low-cost, sub-2 kg, sovereign UAS for training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance purposes.

The Sovereign UAS Challenge was the first initiative launched by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator requesting industry to provide a sovereign UAS:

• at an affordable price (<AUD$5,000)
• at a low weight (<2 kg)
• with a range of 5 km and a stable camera.

In April 2024, 10 companies provided production plans and participated in a ‘fly-off’ demonstration, receiving $110,000 each for their participation.

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

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