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The Australian Defence Force has completed the successful launch of an Aladdin air launched delivery drone from a C-130 Hercules aircraft in a milestone for military drone testing.
The Jericho Disruptive Innovations annual flight test exercise occurred during Exercise Jericho Dawn 26-1 last month with rapid capability demonstrations in a field environment.
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The Aladdin drone was reportedly tested for its usability at tactical altitude and speed of C-130, according to Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander and project lead officer Paul Hay.
“Today marks the first successfully launch of the Aladdin air launched delivery drone from a C-130,” he said.
“It’s a more precise way of delivering stores from an aircraft when you need something more accurate than a parachute.
“Aladdin enables defence to precisely deliver stores both on land and at sea, including onto the deck of a moving ship.”
The Air Launched Delivery Drone is expected to open up opportunities for assistance not only in the field of battle or Defence exercises, but in the complex and challenging area of search and rescue, and disaster relief.
“We are all very excited about the future potential of this technology not only for the defence of the nation, but also its benefits in the civil sector,” Wing Commander Hay said.
“For example, one of the great features of Aladdin that we are actively developing with the technology is its application in search-and-rescue missions or in disaster relief.
“Where there may be heavy cloud cover above a stricken vessel at sea or similar scenario on land with people stranded, Aladdin can be deployed out of the aircraft and then fly below the clouds, or very thick smoke in the case of a bushfire, where it will then be guided using the on-board camera to fly the specific payload – such as emergency-relief supplies – right next to the survivors.
“This is where we feel Aladdin will be most effective in the short term – assisting people affected by natural disasters in a way they haven’t been before.
“Its potential to assist emergency services is particularly exciting at a time of more frequent natural emergencies impacting the nation and the region.”
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