The SSD article mentions the knife comes with a 'retention ring,' which is that finger hole at the top of the blade. And then the Shrapnel is described as being designed for, and available only to, the ADF.

https://www.zubladeworx.com.au/featured_item/shrapnel-dagger/

Designed by W02 Aaron Johnston as a tool to meet the requirements of the Australian Army Combatives Programme. You can read more about W02 Johnston in the Collaborations section of this website. The Shrapnel is made from a billet of A2 tool steel and came in two options, double edged dagger and single edged tanto. This knife is now only available by group order from ADF Personnel. Please contact us directly if you are in the ADF and wish to inquire about a group order.

 It looks as if several sizes and blade shapes of the knife have been made; presumably the pattern and blade length may be changed per the ADF's specs.

gatnerd said:

The SSD article mentions the knife comes with a 'retention ring,' which is that finger hole at the top of the blade. And then the Shrapnel is described as being designed for, and available only to, the ADF.

That last part is a somewhat misleading statement which does not mean Shrapnel is being officially acquired by the ADF.

It's actually described as being "now only available by group order from ADF Personnel" -- essentially, private purchase.

gatnerd said:

The Shrapnel is described as:  Designed by W02 Aaron Johnston as a tool to meet the requirements of the Australian Army Combatives Programme.

The Reaper is described as:  Designed by SGT Paul Cale for the Australian Army Combatives Programmes he developed.

gatnerd said:

It looks as if several sizes and blade shapes of the knife have been made...

Except that the two larger knives in that photo are not variations of the Shrapnel knife. 

They look to me like the Nomad, which has been produced in three different variations.

"The [Nomad] Mk2 was purchased by 1RAR Australian Army and the School of Infantry."

gatnerd said:

...presumably the pattern and blade length may be changed per the ADF's specs.

No doubt.  Just as presumably a "retention ring" could be added to the Reaper if the ADF so specified.

With what little information we currently have, it is uncertain which ZU model the ADF chose to adopt.

Glad to see that Australian procurement read from the ancient Japanese war treatise, "Naruto".

gatnerd said:

...AU has adopted the MCX in .300 BLK as a PDW. This choice is quite unusual for several reasons:

-Australia fields the F90, of which the 16" barrel version is a very short 26.5", seeming to make any length savings of even a short barrel MCX seem pretty minor unless the stock is folded. 

There are a number of military PDW users for whom stowed length is consequential. 

For them, the length savings of the MCX SBR (with stock folded) could be worthwhile.

gatnerd said:

-Australia fields 5.56, and is interested in pursuing 6.8. In either case, introducing a new caliber - 300 blk - seems unusual, and is more something we might expect in a SF unit than a large military due to logistical concerns.

Introducing a new caliber for PDW use is indeed unusual, but it is not unheard of in recent times. 

The German army adopted 4.6 HK for their PDW, choosing to accept the complication of logistics.

That the Aussies opted for .300 BLK rather than 5.56, may indicate intent to adopt 6.8 rifle and MG.

Wonder if they're going to try an integral suppressor so it's not quite so loud in confined spaces? Still run supersonic ammo, but cut the muzzle blast. I know the picture shows a can screwed on, but an integral would reduce length

gatnerd said:

Continuing SIGs quest for global domination, AU has adopted the MCX in .300 BLK as a PDW. This choice is quite unusual for several reasons:

-Australia fields the F90, of which the 16" barrel version is a very short 26.5", seeming to make any length savings of even a short barrel MCX seem pretty minor unless the stock is folded. 

-Australia fields 5.56, and is interested in pursuing 6.8. In either case, introducing a new caliber - 300 blk - seems unusual, and is more something we might expect in a SF unit than a large military due to logistical concerns. 

That could make sense if they are serious about switching to the 6.8x51 mm for their main rifle. The MCX in .300 AAC is probably already used by their SF for subsonic / supersonic work, so issuing the same rifle with the supersonic round (and without suppressor) as a PDW could lead to a simpler logistic.

I honestly don't mind the 300 as a PDW, ideally in an integrally suppressed Magpul PDR like weapon, and while type consolidation makes sense to a point, if the caliber creates too much of a logistical burden for a western military then they are in a sorry state and have other more pressing concerns.  

I would say if they were going that route I'd prefer the primary caliber and associated magazines be a different OAL so as to not accidentally blow up any guns because sure as hell that will happen despite procedural checks.  If an intermediate caliber like 5.56 is the primary then a second caliber for a PDW would IMO be less necessary as there are platforms already optimized for being small and handy (relatively, not on par with MP7) available, but if the primary intermediate caliber is more capable like 6.8  then a secondary caliber like 300 blk starts to make more sense.

Any major western power investing in new small arms but neglecting weaponized drones at fireteam/squad level is behind the curve, IMO.  

There's no reason fireteams can't be already equipped, today, with weaponized drones that fit inside a normal 40mm form factor (and therefore bandolier of many easily carrier), all of the technology is there, it's inexpensive and mature, and it would be extremely disruptive to traditional notions of combat -- in fact, in most cases, negating the need of something like a counter defilade weapon at the squad level (which has always been chunky), as well as the unrealistic desire to design a handy light rifle that can both clear brick shithouses but also overmatch a PKM on tripod conducting harassing fire at the edge of its effective envelope 2km away. While they may be vulnerable in a heavy electronic warfare environment, for the other 98% of actual fighting in actual deployments it will work fine, and in fact even in more conventional warfare with near peer threats they will probably be useful after that first week too.

Refleks said:

Any major western power investing in new small arms but neglecting weaponized drones at fireteam/squad level is behind the curve, IMO.

I have to disagree.
It makes little sense to equip fireteams or squads with drones. Within the engagement range of the smallest units such systems are not necessary.

The combat effectiveness of small, simple and cheap drones also is very limited.

In the near future small and light missiles in the class "anti personel guided missile" will fill this role. These are much more reliable, powerfull and more difficult to counter. They are also fully mil spec and can be handled like all other missiles.
Such equipment with ranges in the 2000 m and more range will most likely not be issued to squad level. At least not organic.

schnuersi said:

       Refleks said: Any major western power investing in new small arms but neglecting weaponized drones at fireteam/squad level is behind the curve, IMO.

I have to disagree. It makes little sense to equip fireteams or squads with drones. Within the engagement range of the smallest units such systems are not necessary.

In the near future small and light missiles in the class "anti personel guided missile" will fill this role. These are much more reliable, powerfull and more difficult to counter. They are also fully mil spec and can be handled like all other missiles.

Small, guided missiles like the Pike do offer some advantages, but I'm not sure they are a necessarily better choice for the squad.

The drones that I think Refleks is referring to are also fully mil spec, and seem like they would be quite useful at the squad level.

YouTube

Ninox 40 Micro Tactical UAS - THE_FULL_STORY

YouTube

D40 Kamikaze Drones

schnuersi said:

The combat effectiveness of small, simple and cheap drones also is very limited.

Off the shelf quadcopters dropping 40mm equivalent warheads or scouting ahead for enemy positions (often both) have proven shockingly effective in Ukraine, and Syria before then.

One major advantage over missiles like PIke is that they can hunt for an enemy, and drop munitions into trenchworks / foxholes that would be difficult to hit with a rocket or missile. Top attack also allows even the smallest of HEDP warheads to penetrate top armor of even Tanks (a few days ago a quad droped 40mm killed a T80 tank).

A militarized compact quadcopter with a dropable micro munition (think optimized ~40-50mm HEDP) would likely be extremely useful. Especially as it would be re-usable and allow for surveillance and strike capability. 

Off the shelf, there are currently folding drones, which can fold down into the size of ~a 200rd SAW pouch. So a squad level drone would be quite doable. Especially if paired with some limited AI (fly forward 1k along this trail, send notification if FLIR detects anything human temperature).