The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) announced Mission Talon-Strike in May 2025.

The mission is focussed on sovereign solutions to develop a medium-range Precision Loitering Munition (PLM) capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Talon-Strike will address the problem statement: How might we strike land targets from medium range with low cost, land-launched loitering munitions?

This is the first time the ADF is introducing into service and certifying a sovereign designed and built PLM. Mission Talon-Strike will pave the way for domestic manufacturing of a loitering munition system, capable of precision strike with a guided missile.

Milestones

In October 2025, ASCA moved to delivery phase, entering into an 18-month contract valued at $20.8 million (excluding GST) with Innovaero for their One Way Loitering (OWL)-B flight vehicle.

Under the contract, ASCA will seek to refine the platform further before achieving the final-configuration for operational employment. A series of test and evaluation activities will follow to validate the OWL-B and its ability to meet ADF requirements in a multi-domain environment.

The sovereign solution will strengthen the ADF’s strike capabilities, and provide the Army with enhanced force protection. It will complement long-range strike capabilities, increasing the reach and lethality of the Army.

Background

The Request for Tender opened on 9 May 2025 through AusTender – Mission Talon-Strike and closed on 30 May 2025.