INSECT VISION: THE GUIDING FORCE FOR SMARTER WEAPONS

Studying how insects see and navigate has resulted in a smart weapon seeker and guidance technology, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP announced today.

The technology has been developed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) with the support of several small to medium enterprises under the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program.

Mr Snowdon unveiled the demonstration technology called Bioseeker at the Australian International Air Show in Avalon.

It is planned to incorporate the final Bioseeker technology in a low cost, miniaturised and rugged add-on device that provides autonomous guidance to airborne systems, increasing their ability to acquire, track and strike moving targets.

“This novel research will lead to a new weapons systems capability which will allow our Defence Force to strike moving targets in the air and land environments,” Mr Snowdon said.

The Bioseeker technology has a range of possible defence applications, including enhancing the capability of the rocket on the Aussie Tiger Helicopter, various air delivered weapons and shoulder launched or mortar based land weapons.

The Bioseeker technology will undergo final testing in the second half of 2009, using the Australian developed Cybird UAV as a platform. The test will involve guiding the UAV to strike a moving land target.

“The Bioseeker technology is another example of the value of the CTD program. This program continues to generate new and exciting ideas which can only be good for Defence capability,” Mr Snowdon said.

Mr Snowdon congratulated Associated Electronic Services Pty Ltd, Cyber Technology WA Pty Ltd and Davtec IT Pty Ltd for their development and engineering support on the Bioseeker project.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Mr Snowdon):    02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:          02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664