US Department of Defense approves Australian Cerberus MI drone

The US Department of Defense has added the Cerberus MI, an Australian-made drone from Skyborne Technologies, to its Blue UAS Cleared List. This designation allows the US military and federal agencies to procure the system without requiring special policy exceptions.

Developed by Skyborne Technologies, the Cerberus MI is a Group 2 unmanned aerial system. Unlike traditional kamikaze drones designed for single-use missions, this 18-kilogram portable aircraft is designed to be recovered, reloaded, and redeployed. The drone is equipped with a 12-gauge shotgun, though it can also be fitted with a 40mm low-velocity grenade launcher. Its airframe is specifically engineered to withstand weapon recoil.

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) granted approval following assessments of cybersecurity, supply chain security, and potential foreign influence, in compliance with National Defense Authorization Act standards. The system utilizes integrated artificial intelligence to combine sensor data for targeting, while maintaining a human-in-the-loop for operations at distances exceeding 300 meters. When armed, the drone has a flight time of approximately 35 minutes, a payload capacity of 4 kilograms, and a top speed of 54 kilometers per hour.