Ready for Launch

Unmanned systems finally taking off in ADF service

When Australian troops first deployed to Afghanistan in late 2002, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had no unmanned aircraft and not much experience beyond some trials, which did show the vast potential for this technology.

Sixteen years on, the ADF is becoming a UAS (unmanned aerial systems) force with each service set to possess its own advanced UAS capability to meet its particular operational requirements.