Brisbane based protective equipment supplier EPE has completed the first phase of an innovation project awarded under the Defence Innovation Hub.
EPE worked with Army to integrate a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) capability (Amulet) that can be deployed remotely using Talon, the current in-service medium-sized Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and demonstrated a Proof of Concept (POC) to prove the integration could work.
As separate entities, the Amulet and the Talon are proven and known capabilities, and according to EPE MD Warwick Penrose, the POC was therefore designed specifically around proving they could be integrated to achieve a remote standoff detection capability. He added the POC was highly successful and the logical progression is to now produce a prototype of this capability.
“The GPR for UGV project recognises EPE’s long term commitment and investment in building and developing sovereign Force Protection capabilities that help take Australian servicemen out of the danger area. The commitment made by the Defence Innovation Hub to support Australian industry in concept development and prototyping, will allow EPE to accelerate the development and delivery of innovative capabilities that meet the specific needs of the ADF.”
Penrose said there are export opportunities with coalition partners and neighbouring countries requiring similar application.
For the GPR for UGV Project, EPE is partnering with Cobham Australia, supplier of the Amulet Quad Pack GPR and GCI Group, a privately owned, Queensland-based manufacturer of precision components.