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Media Release
[Melbourne, 4th April] – Akula Tech, in partnership with UNSW Canberra, announces development of an advanced autonomous drone swarm system under the Defence Trailblazer's Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) program. This sovereign capability will provide the Australian Defence Force with distributed, resilient, and autonomous aerial operations across multiple mission sets.
The project introduces a revolutionary framework for deploying heterogeneous drone swarms in critical defence applications. Drawing inspiration from bird flocking patterns and ant colony behaviours, this system represents a significant leap forward in autonomous aerial operations, enabling dynamic mission adaptation and enhanced force protection capabilities.
In contested environments where traditional ISR platforms face increasing vulnerability, these autonomous swarms will maintain persistent surveillance coverage through dynamic redistribution. When activities of interest are detected, the swarm will automatically rebalance to maintain broad situational awareness while dedicating additional platforms to track specific targets. This capability will deliver commanders uninterrupted intelligence without risking high-value ISR assets.
For Combat Search and Rescue operations in denied environments, the system will deploy mixed sensor packages including optical, infrared, and SIGINT capabilities. Rather than following rigid search patterns, adaptive algorithms concentrate resources in high-probability areas while maintaining broader awareness. The swarm's distributed processing will enable autonomous detection of personnel indicators, immediately redirecting assets to promising areas while maintaining observation for inbound rescue forces.
"This technology fundamentally changes how we approach distributed operations," says Preetham Akula, CEO of Akula Tech. "Whether establishing mobile counter-UAS networks, providing layered force protection, or conducting autonomous resupply missions in contested spaces, these swarms deliver persistent effects while minimising force vulnerability."
The 18-month ASIC project leverages nature-inspired algorithms to enable: Autonomous task allocation and redistribution without central control:
- Dynamic role-switching based on mission requirements and threats
- Multi-sensor integration for comprehensive battlespace awareness
- Distributed electronic warfare and counter-UAS capabilities
- Resilient logistics support for distributed operations
About Akula Tech
Akula Tech is an Australian sovereign technology company specialising in autonomous systems and AI-driven solutions for defence and space applications. With a focus on developing sovereign capabilities, Akula Tech is committed to enhancing Australia's technological superiority in defence and security operations.
For media enquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
Disha Raheja
Marketing Specialist, Akula Tech
Email: disha@akulatech.com
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