HUNTSVILLE, AL—Aerobotix and Automated Solutions Australia (ASA) are partnering to develop, test and manufacture hypersonic missiles. The partnership follows the 2021 signing of the AUKUS security pact between the U.S., U.K. and Australian governments, which includes provisions for the allies to work together on hypersonic and counter-hypersonic weapons.

The Aerobotix-ASA collaboration will enable the Australian defense sector and Australian defense contractors to more easily access both companies’ expertise in automation.

“We’ll work with the U.S. State Department for approval of any technology transfer for ASA,” says Josh Tuttle, Aerobotix business development manager. “We’ll also help ASA in other ways. For example, we can save them years of costly development work by sharing how to robotically spray [thermal protection] coatings for missile manufacturing.”

Aerobotix and ASA are both turn-key robotic integration companies with specialized capabilities in the precise application of paints and performance coatings. Aerobotix has experience in the use of robotics to scan, sand, measure and paint hypersonic missiles on multiple successful missile programs. ASA’s relationship with FANUC has resulted in the installation of more than 100 FANUC painting robots in Australia. Now, with the backing of Aerobotix, ASA has the expertise and technical capability to overcome the most difficult automation challenges in precision coating applications.

“Aerobotix has already deployed several production robotic systems for hypersonics,” says Nathan Jones, ASA general manager. “They’re even making critical test parts for programs that haven’t had time to build production facilities. Their willingness to support our company, and Australia, is going to significantly reduce costs, schedule delays and program risk.”