NIOA will use the stage of the Land Forces International Defence Exposition in Perth to unveil for the first time the training and live payload being developed for the SYPAQ Systems CORVO Counter small Uncrewed Aerial System (CsUAS) interceptor platform.
The training payload represents a significant milestone in NIOA’s contribution to the sovereign Australian counter-drone capability being developed by SYPAQ for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Mission Syracuse.
The capability combines NIOA’s expertise in fuzing, warheads and explosive ordnance engineering with the Australian-designed and manufactured CORVO interceptor platform developed by SYPAQ Systems.
The functionally representative training payload integrates a telemetry-capable Power & Interface Controller (PIC) electronic subsystem, Proximity Fuze, inert Electronic Safety, Arming & Functioning (ESAF) device plus an inert mass representative kinetic effector payload, enabling comprehensive flight testing and data collection ahead of live payload qualification activities.
NIOA Australia-New Zealand Executive Vice President Ben James said the industry unveiling demonstrated the rapid progress Australian defence industry SMEs could achieve through collaboration.
“Less than six months after partnering with SYPAQ on their work under Mission Syracuse, and engaging Hydrix to provide electronic design integration support to SYPAQ, we are proud to showcase a tangible capability that highlights the strength of Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base,” he said.
“This CORVO interceptor training payload is an important step toward delivering a credible, scalable and operationally relevant counter-drone capability for the Australian Defence Force.
“The schedule in which this payload has been developed is a real testament to the skilled workforce and exceptional collaboration between SYPAQ Systems, NIOA and Hydrix.”
The development program brings together Australian-owned defence companies NIOA, SYPAQ Systems and Hydrix, combining expertise in explosive ordnance design, electronics engineering, advanced software integration and uncrewed systems development.
Amanda Holt, Managing Director and CEO, SYPAQ Systems said: “Working in partnership with NIOA, supported by our sovereign supply chain members, allows us both to accelerate the design, development and demonstration of the Corvo Strike C-UAS capability through ASCA Mission Syracuse. SYPAQ is proud to lead this endeavour drawing upon our expertise in autonomous systems, guidance, navigation and control, and mission systems integration.
“NIOA’s expertise delivers both a mission optimised, modular warhead capability, whilst providing an inert training capability, to the program. This allows rapid risk reduction and future mission expansion – by design.”
Hydrix recently completed delivery of a benchtop integration system supporting software development, platform-interface communications and integration of key payload subsystems.
The company is responsible for development of the PIC electronics subsystem, a critical subsystem incorporating telemetry, safety interlocks, fuzing logic and Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit (CLIK) compatible platform interface functions.
Hydrix Director Development & Delivery Andrew Beal said the milestone demonstrated Hydrix’s ability to rapidly translate complex Defence requirements into working technology.
“Defence capability development needs to move from concept to field evaluation at a pace that matches the threat,” he said.
“This project demonstrates the value Hydrix can bring to sovereign capability development, solving complex integration challenges and helping emerging defence technologies mature rapidly from concept through to operationally relevant capability.”
To see the NIOA family of training and live payloads, visit the NIOA stand #4G16 Land Forces 2026 from October 6-8.