UK's OpenWorks Engineering Wins Australian Military Contract for Vision Guard Counter-UAS Detection System

British SME OpenWorks Engineering, widely known for its SkyWall aerial net-capture technology, has announced it has secured a significant military contract — helping the Australian Defence Force detect and identify drone threats before any intercept action is required.

Vision Guard: Active Sensing and Early Warning

OpenWorks Engineering confirmed that its Vision Guard system has been selected for Australian military counter-UAS (C-UAS) operations. Unlike the company's well-known SkyWall net-capture platform, Vision Guard's core function is detection and identification rather than direct interception, positioning it as a front-end sensing layer within a broader C-UAS operational framework.

The system provides operators with critical situational awareness in real time — before a potential threat enters intercept range — giving defence personnel greater decision-making time and flexibility to determine an appropriate response.

From Intercept to Detection: Expanding the C-UAS Capability Stack

OpenWorks Engineering has long been recognised for its SkyWall product line, which launches net projectiles to physically capture unauthorised drones in mid-air. The selection of Vision Guard, however, signals that the UK firm has successfully extended its portfolio from the 'intercept end' to the 'detection end' of the C-UAS spectrum, offering a more complete end-to-end counter-drone solution.

As drone threats have grown increasingly prominent in global conflicts and security incidents, armed forces worldwide are facing rising demand for systems that integrate detection, identification, and interception capabilities. Australia's adoption of Vision Guard indicates that its military is actively strengthening its drone threat awareness and early-warning infrastructure.

UK Defence Tech SMEs Making Inroads in International Markets

This contract represents a significant milestone for OpenWorks Engineering and further demonstrates the competitiveness of UK small and medium-sized defence technology companies in the global C-UAS market. Australia, as a key Indo-Pacific security partner, attracts close industry attention for its military procurement decisions. The choice of a British technology solution also reflects the deepening defence-technology cooperation between the United Kingdom and Australia.

OpenWorks Engineering has not disclosed the contract value or detailed system deployment timelines.

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