A State Government-funded project is set to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s undersea surveillance capability and reinforce South Australia’s position as a leader in defence innovation.
Backed by $1.6 million through the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Activator Fund, the initiative brings together industry, research and Defence to deliver advanced undersea surveillance capability aligned with Australia’s sovereign defence priorities.
Adelaide-based defence software company Acacia Systems led the collaboration with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Adelaide University, Curtin University, and Saab Australia.
The project set out to improve undersea surveillance by enhancing the accuracy and range of automatic detection, while strengthening tracking and localisation of threats. These challenges were identified by Defence as a priority under the Remote Undersea Surveillance STaR Shot program.
The project delivered three key outcomes: improved automatic detection of undersea threats beyond current capabilities; enhanced options for sensor placement enabling more precise tracking; and successful integration of Acacia’s Onyx platform with Saab’s combat management system, supporting compatibility within Australia’s warship combat system network.
The project demonstrates the impact of the Defence Innovation Partnership (DIP) in accelerating the translation of research into real-world capability for the Australian Defence Force. By connecting SMEs, universities, Defence and primes, DIP enables the delivery of practical, deployable solutions to priority challenges. Its success has already led to further engagement with DSTG and the Royal Australian Navy to explore pathways to transition the technology into operational use.
Acacia Systems CEO Bob Humphreys said the project’s success was driven by a clear focus on Defence priorities.
“The success of the Activator project benefitted enormously from having an absolute clarity of vision – to enhance Australia’s sovereign capability in autonomous undersea surveillance aligned with one of Defence’s investment priorities,” said Mr Humphreys.
“Acacia will be continuing R&D efforts leveraging the success of the program and intends integrating the research outcomes into its world-class Onyx automatic threat detection and tracking system in the coming 12 months.”
Minister for Defence and Space Industries Chris Picton said the project reflects the type of advanced capability being developed in South Australia.
“This is exactly the kind of cutting-edge capability we want being developed right here in South Australia, technology that strengthens our national security while backing local jobs and expertise, said Minister Picton.
“By improving the detection, tracking and localisation of undersea threats, this technology has the potential to give the Royal Australian Navy a sharper edge in increasingly complex environments.”
The Onyx platform is already supporting Defence operations, including contributions to Operation Resolute via Ocius Bluebottle uncrewed vessels, and is well positioned to support future Navy capabilities in autonomous undersea warfare.
