EPE, Thales Australia and Department 13 signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Land Forces today in Adelaide following successful rapid integration of MESMER™ Counter Drone capability into the Thales Bushmaster.
- MOU with Thales Australia, EPE and D13 to develop and integrate a commercialised version of MESMER™operating through the Thales ICS.
- Mobile prototype of MESMER™ integrated into a globally proven military platform, the Bushmaster.
Adelaide, South Australia – This morning at Land Forces EPE, Thales and Department 13 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) following successful integration of the MESMER™ Counter Drone solution into the Bushmaster. The MOU outlines the intent for this solution to provide an interim cyber capability for the vehicle platform.
Drones have become a persistent and pervasive threat to deployed members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with insurgents using cheap commercial drones to survey defensive positions, assess the disposition of troops as well as deliver munitions and IED’s with disturbing ease and accuracy. Troops deploying from Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) need the ability to deny enemies the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) without impacting friendly radio frequencies (RF). This has prompted EPE, Department 13 and Thales to integrate the MESMER™ Counter UAS (C-UAS) capability into the Bushmaster as an innovative prototype being displayed at the Land Forces Conference in Adelaide.
The Thales Bushmaster is combat proven, offering high protection and mobility. It has been successfully deployed by three armies on operations in the Middle East, Africa and Pacific. On-going design enhancements, a wide range of user selectable mission equipment and mature through life support have ensured that Bushmaster continues to offer leading capability to meet emerging threats and evolving customer requirements. The Thales Integral Computing System (ICS) is an example of this, implementing a network-based architecture to centrally host all applications in the vehicle and enable the integration of new technologies to combat evolving threats.
Warwick Penrose, EPE Director said ‘The integration of the MESMER Counter Drone capability into the Bushmaster completed in 3 weeks demonstrates that EPE and Thales can successfully work together to meet tight deadlines. The success of this prototype further supports our short-term plans to establish an advanced manufacturing capacity in Australia to deliver sovereign capability.’
MESMER employs protocol manipulation techniques to manage a single or swarm of UAS. It detects and identifies drone signals using Radio Frequency (RF) protocol signatures. Protocol manipulation then enables MESMER to take advantage of weaknesses inherent in digital radio systems allowing safe mitigation of threats. This low power, surgical approach has several advantages over kinetic energy or jamming techniques, both of which can have collateral impacts on untargeted nearby assets and friendly RF systems. MESMER’s software defined architecture allows it to be constantly updated in response to evolutions in current UAS threats and emerging capabilities. This flexible software defined architecture also enables it to be seamlessly integrated into the Thales ICS.
The MESMER capability is on display at Land Forces at the EPE Stand 1N29 and on the Bushmaster at the Thales Stand 1F15.
ABOUT EPE.
EPE provides innovative solutions to protect Military and Emergency Response personnel from current and emerging threats. We are force protection specialists with real world operational experience. Our solutions include Counter Drone, Counter IED (Improvised Explosive Devices, including Radio Controlled Devices), and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence (CBRND). EPE balances global reach with local innovation and is establishing advanced manufacturing capacity in Australia to deliver sovereign capability.
ABOUT THALES AUSTRALIA
Thales in Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management and ground transport systems to security systems and services. Employing around 3,600 people, Thales in Australia recorded revenues of more than A $1.2 billion in 2017 and export revenue of over A$1.6 billion in the past 10 years.
Thales Australia has a history of patient investment to build advanced in-country capability across manufacturing, critical systems and services. Close collaborative relationships with local customers, Australian SME suppliers and research institutions combined with technology transfer from our global business enables Thales to tailor high quality solutions for Australian and export markets.
For more information:
contact Narelle Hoffman, Marketing and Communications +61 (07) 3308 9300 or email:
Other Press Releases mentioning the new partnership between EPE, D13 and Thales:
Defence Connect
ItNews