Australian autonomous systems integrator Drone Forge has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arkeus to explore integrating hyperspectral optical radar technology into its autonomous systems portfolio.
Announced at Land Forces 2026 in Perth on 12 October, the partnership will focus on the potential deployment of Arkeus’ Warden technology to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across land, littoral and multi-domain environments.
According to the companies, Warden is designed to provide detailed spectral information about objects and environments, with potential applications where conventional imaging technologies may not provide sufficient information.
Drone Forge founder Thomas Symes said customers were seeking more advanced capabilities from uncrewed platforms, including the ability to identify and track targets and deliver actionable intelligence.
“It’s no longer just about collecting imagery, but finding, identifying and tracking what matters, and delivering intelligence fast enough to act on it,” Symes said.
He said the partnership would focus on integrating Warden into Drone Forge’s platforms to improve situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
Arkeus CEO Simon Olsen said Warden combines hyperspectral sensing with edge artificial intelligence (AI) to detect, recognise and track targets across wide areas.
“The future of mission effectiveness depends on how quickly platforms can turn what they sense into what they know,” Olsen said.
He said Drone Forge’s experience in developing and operating autonomous platforms could help accelerate the technology’s deployment across additional applications.
The collaboration will include potential joint flight operations, data gathering and demonstrations as the companies assess customer requirements and commercial opportunities.
Initial discussions will focus on the Asia-Pacific region, with the companies also considering applications in international markets.
The MOU comes amid growing demand for advanced sensing and autonomous capabilities across defence, critical infrastructure, resources and other industries. The companies said they would continue exploring opportunities to combine their technologies and develop potential customer solutions.
