Photo: Defence Connect

Dubbed Agile Shield, the system has been designed to detect and defeat improvised threats as part of the Counter Improvised Threats Grand Challenge funded by the Next Generation Technologies Fund.

Developed by Lockheed Martin’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Leadership and Research Laboratory (STELaRLab), Agile Shield is an integrated system designed to detect and defeat improvised threats within challenging battlespaces.

Agile Shield works by expanding Defence’s situational awareness on the battlefield, and enables operators to rapidly engage the threat.

The contract, first awarded in 2021, was valued at $9 million.

According to the global defence prime, the capability is fitted with a modular open mission system enabling the integration of new sensors, effectors, and battle management algorithms to overcome future threats.

The delivery of Agile Shield was carried out in collaboration with local Australian small-to-medium sized enterprises, collaborating in areas such as command and control.

“Our demonstration of Agile Shield is the culmination of nearly two years’ hard work and dedication from the team at STELaRLab and our Australian industry partners Clearbox Systems, InTrack Solutions, Silentium Defence, Department 13, and Trakka Corp,” Dr Tony Lindsay, director of STELaRLab, said.

It is hoped the new solution will help Defence overcome increasingly sophisticated improvised threats across land, air, and sea.

Keren Reynolds, integrated systems lead at STELaRLabs, explained that the solution will help the warfighter make better decisions while in stressful threat environments.

“Agile Shield will assist Defence in making timely, more informed decisions when dealing with improvised threats. The system develops an advanced situational awareness picture of the complex joint battlespace, enabling its intelligent threat evaluation and weapon assignment algorithms to rapidly generate optimised engagement options,” she explained.

It is expected that Agile Shield can be deployed in both military and civilian applications.

Dr Peter Shoubridge, chief land and joint warfare of the Defence Science and Technology Group, explained that improvised devices will continue to be a threat to members of the Australian Defence Force and civilian populations.

‘Improvised explosive devices and other improvised threats have posed a threat to ADF personnel, law enforcement, and civilian populations for decades,” Dr Shoubridge explained.

“A capability that can accurately and reliably detect improvised threats is critical to ensuring the safety of our personnel,” he said.

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