Australian Army Discussions and Updates

[ADMk2]

The Australian Government has awarded a $5.7 million contract to Electro Optic Systems Defence Systems to develop the R400 SLINGER counter uncrewed aerial systems capability, under the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s Mission Syracuse.
Govt Announcement
It seems the slinger comes in a variety of configurations and it is interesting that the Defence Dept seems to have selected the one with a 4 pod 70mm guided missile system, backed up by a machine gun, rather than the one with a 30 mm gun. Only 4 missiles but increased range and perhaps accuracy.
YouTube (at 1.44 min mark)

Where does it say that the 30mm gun is not being used? Also where does it say the 4x APKWS launcher is being used?
This is a $5.7m contract to develop Slinger, not an acquisition contract as some defence media have put out, perhaps in haste without actually reading the release properly…

Mission Syracuse’s role is to develop Counter-UAS systems for ADF use.

Project LAND 156’s job, is to procure and sustain Counter-UAS systems for ADF use.

There is a difference there…

This latest contract has been awarded to Electro Optic Systems (EOS) Defence Systems to develop the R400 SLINGER Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) capability.

 

[justinterested]

Where does it say that the 30mm gun is not being used? Also where does it say the 4x APKWS launcher is being used?
This is a $5.7m contract to develop Slinger, not an acquisition contract as some defence media have put out, perhaps in haste without actually reading the release properly…

Mission Syracuse’s role is to develop Counter-UAS systems for ADF use.

Project LAND 156’s job, is to procure and sustain Counter-UAS systems for ADF use.

There is a difference there…

Yep, ok, fair point but the govt statement release specifically states - "Integrating an advanced laser-guided rocket and a machine gun" . You would think that if a 30mm gun was being considered it would mention it. I take your point that it is a contract to develop a system and this could perhaps evolve into something different. Lets hope with the new re-structuring of the defence dept that this development will happen efficiently so a purchase decision on an effective C-UAS can be made quickly.

 

[OldTex]

Yep, ok, fair point but the govt statement release specifically states - "Integrating an advanced laser-guided rocket and a machine gun" . You would think that if a 30mm gun was being considered it would mention it. I take your point that it is a contract to develop a system and this could perhaps evolve into something different. Lets hope with the new re-structuring of the defence dept that this development will happen efficiently so a purchase decision on an effective C-UAS can be made quickly.

Well looking at the EOS datasheet for the R400 Slinger it only mentions the M230LF 30x113mm cannon. There is no mention of a machine gun (M2 or MAG58 these are more the R400 version RWS) nor of any laser guided rockets. Admittedly the datasheet is 3 years old and needs to be updated appropriately. But PR might not see any difference between a machine gun and a belt-fed cannon like the M230LF so used the machine gun description in the press statement.