Drone som kan detektere landminer utvikles i Australia sammen med israelske Elbit - DefenceConnect

 

04 July 2024

Nova tests anti-mine drone capability LAND 03 JULY 2024   New AI-enabled drones that are capable of detecting landmines from above have been trialled by Nova Systems in the Latrobe Valley. The uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) use image recognition technology to differentiate between landmines and other objects having been developed in-house by Nova engineers, the company confirmed. The AI-enabled UAV system has been undergoing testing at Latrobe Valley at Nova’s deployable UAV testing range, where it will undergo further development and improvement. It is expected that the drone technology will enable Defence to cover broad swathes of ground quickly while keeping personnel safe, Dean Rosenfield, chief executive officer of Nova Systems, said. “The integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems into the Australian Defence Force is not just a strategic choice, but an imperative,” Rosenfield said. “Testing UAVs and other complex systems in a real-world environment provides the ability to assess the full potential of the capability. “The ability to innovate, develop, and test our own AI technology for UAVs in Australia is a strategic advantage. “It helps secure the nation’s advanced technological capabilities and the long-term sustainability of the Australian specialist workforce through contemporary training and development.” The veteran-powered test and evaluation provider, Nova Systems, hopes that the new capability will minimise risk for Defence personnel and civilians. A company release explained that collaborations at Nova’s T&E Centre of Excellence is accelerating testing capabilities of emerging technologies including AI, machine learning, and uncrewed systems. The announcement follows a recent partnership between Nova Systems and Elbit to undertake flight trials of the Elbit Systems Skylark I-LEX unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the Australian Army.