What Forward Deployed does

Forward Deployed is a Melbourne, Australia-based defence technology company founded in 2023 that has developed the DINGO platform — a chemical threat detection system built on mid-infrared molecular fingerprinting via Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS), a technology the founders have taken from TRL 3 to TRL 9. The platform is offered in three modular form factors (DINGO-Lab stationary, DINGO-Tactical backpack-mounted wearable, and DINGO-Embedded handheld/robotic), each running the same proprietary software stack with SME Mode for expert IR spectrum analysis and Non-SME Mode for zero-training colour-coded alerts, plus full ATAK integration for networked intelligence and live threat mapping.

The business sells hardware-led detection systems to government defence, security, and industrial customers, with over-the-air chemical library updates providing a recurring software layer and evaluation units generating services revenue. Go-to-market is selective enterprise field sales targeting government acquisition channels — primarily US Army Futures Command Indo-Pacific (ITC-IPAC), the US DoD Program of Record (LRIP 2027 with Full Rate Production through 2032), DHS, US Special Operations Forces, and Australian agencies including DSTG, DAFF, and Queensland Primary Industries. The company has validated the platform through CBOA 2025 and SCOUT 26 (4.52/5 performance rating) and delivered a funded ITC-IPAC contract ahead of schedule.

The company operates with a six-person team led by CRDS expert Richard Hebden, embedded systems engineer Alex Barry, and government/defence commercial operator Liam Eldon. Revenue is concentrated in government defence customers at the pilot/evaluation stage, with the major commercial inflection point — DoW Program of Record Low Rate Initial Production — scheduled for 2027.

Name

Forward Deployed

Legal name

Forward Deployed

Website

https://forward-deployed.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Forward Deployed is a Melbourne-based defence technology company that builds the DINGO platform — portable, mid-infrared chemical threat detection sensors using Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy — for military, government security, and industrial safety customers including the US Army and DoD.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Sensor Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

CBRN Detection, Protection & Decontamination Systems (IMABAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links (IMABAGAE)

Keywords

• Chemical threat detection
• Defence sensor systems
• Molecular spectroscopy
• CBRN detection
• Infrared spectroscopy sensors

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. DINGO Hardware Platform Sales: Sale of DINGO detection hardware across multiple form factors (DINGO-Lab stationary unit, DINGO-Tactical wearable unit, DINGO-Embedded handheld). Hardware delivered with included proprietary software stack. Multiple revenue streams from US DoW programs, allied defence procurement, and industrial/commercial markets.
2. Software Subscriptions & Updates: Over-the-air chemical library updates included with each unit. Potential recurring revenue from software maintenance, updates, and extended support services for government and commercial customers.
3. Evaluation & Testing Services: Partner testing and early sales engagement through DINGO-Lab evaluation units. Revenue from government agency testing programs and evaluation contracts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Forward Deployed develops and builds the DINGO platform, a mid-infrared molecular fingerprinting sensor based on Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) for chemical threat and hazardous substance detection. The company is engineering a family of DINGO variants tailored for laboratory, tactical field, and embedded integration use cases targeting defence, homeland security, and CBRN response customers.

Product overview

Forward Deployed offers the DINGO platform of deployable chemical detection sensors using mid-infrared molecular fingerprinting technology. The platform comprises three modular form factors: DINGO-Lab (stationary, 2026), DINGO-Tactical (backpack-mounted wearable, late 2026/2027), and DINGO-Embedded (handheld/robotic integration, 2027+). The core detection engine operates across all form factors with two software modes: SME Mode for expert spectrum analysis and Non-SME Mode for zero-training colour-coded alerts. All units include ATAK integration, over-the-air chemical library updates, and networked intelligence capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DINGO: Deployable Infrared Gas Observer platform for mid-infrared molecular fingerprinting. Chemical threat detection system for vapour and aerosol threats, identified in seconds by any operator. Validated by US Army and allied defence agencies. Includes DINGO-Lab (stationary unit), DINGO-Tactical (wearable/backpack-mounted unit), and DINGO-Embedded (handheld and robotic integration) product variants.

Products and services

• DINGO-Lab / DINGO-Decon Laboratory and decontamination-focused variant of the DINGO CRDS-based mid-infrared molecular fingerprinting sensor, intended for chemical threat verification and contamination assessment in lab and decon environments.
• DINGO-Tactical Field-deployable, tactical variant of the DINGO CRDS sensor for in-situ chemical threat detection by defence, security, and first-responder teams in operational environments.
• DINGO-Embedded Embedded integration variant of the DINGO CRDS-based mid-infrared sensor designed to be incorporated into third-party platforms, vehicles, or systems for persistent chemical threat detection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Chemical threats identified in 10 seconds by any operator (no specialist required)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR supplies CBRN detection tools (including identiFINDER-class chemical and radiological identifiers) as part of a much broader defense and sensing portfolio. It is a broad incumbent competing in many of the same DoD procurement channels rather than a specialist portable CBRN vendor.
• Battelle Memorial Institute: Battelle is a major US CBRN defence R&D organisation that operates DoD CBDP programs and develops detection and decontamination technologies. It competes with Forward Deployed as both a technology developer and integrator on DoW CBRN programmes of record.
• Mirion Technologies: Mirion provides radiation detection and CBRN-related monitoring equipment to defence, homeland security, and civilian customers. It competes with DINGO in adjacent CBRN procurement opportunities as a broad safety-and-security incumbent.
• MSA Safety: MSA Safety supplies fixed and portable gas detection, respiratory protection, and industrial safety solutions across industrial and defence-adjacent markets. Its broad safety portfolio overlaps with the industrial-safety, HAZMAT, and first-responder segments DINGO targets.
• Honeywell (Industrial Detection): Honeywell manufactures portable and fixed gas detection systems (e.g., BW, Honeywell Analytics) used across industrial safety and CBRN-adjacent applications. It is a broad incumbent that competes for the same industrial-compliance and HAZMAT budgets DINGO is targeting.

Direct peers

• 908 Devices: 908 Devices manufactures portable mass spectrometry and chemical detection tools used by military, security, and HazMat customers for CBRN threat identification. Its purpose-built handheld and ruggedized MS products are the most direct portable chemical-detection alternative to DINGO in the same federal/defence procurement channels.
• Smiths Detection: Smiths Detection is the largest incumbent in CBRN and trace detection for aviation, border security, and military customers, with products including JCAD-class chemical detectors. It is the legacy supplier that DINGO is explicitly positioned to displace on DoW programmes of record.
• Industrial Scientific: Industrial Scientific produces portable and fixed gas detectors used by industrial, HazMat, and first-responder customers worldwide. Its products compete with DINGO in industrial safety, confined-space, and HazMAT use cases addressed by the DINGO-Lab and DINGO-Embedded form factors.
• Dräger: Dräger manufactures portable gas detection, HazMat, and first-responder safety equipment used across defence, fire, and industrial markets. Its X-am and X-pid lines compete directly with DINGO in HazMat, CBRN, and confined-space use cases the company targets with DINGO-Tactical and DINGO-Embedded.
• Bruker Corporation: Bruker produces CRDS-based and other high-sensitivity chemical detection instruments, including field-deployable optical sensors used for CBRN and environmental monitoring. Its CRDS product line is the closest technology analogue to Forward Deployed's DINGO detection engine.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forward-deployed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forward Deployed