In July 2023, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) initiated its first Innovation Challenge by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to explore the Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) ecosystem.
Following the insights gathered from this RFI, market intelligence, and consultations with subject matter experts, ASCA in November 2023 invited companies to engage in short development contracts.
These contracts required the companies to develop a production plan and a prototype for demonstration. The culmination of this phase was a ‘fly-off’ event scheduled for April 2024, where companies showcased their prototypes to Defence stakeholders and UAS experts for evaluation.