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Australian Army soldiers have tested new fixed‑wing reconnaissance drones at Exercise Southern Jackaroo.
The Quantum Systems Vector AI was used to “identify targets in depth and enable drone and artillery strikes on enemy positions”, according to Defence, which says it can provide real-time environment mapping, and AI-enhanced object tracking and detection, while flying more than 60m.
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“The Vector AI, with a wingspan of 2.8 metres, uses tiltrotors, similar to the MV-22 Osprey, to transition between vertical and forward flight, giving it the hovering capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft,” said Defence.
“Because fixed-wing drones can penetrate deeper into enemy lines, they excel at providing information that helps friendly forces disrupt rear elements, degrading an enemy’s ability to coordinate and resupply forward units.
“That same information shortens kill chains – the steps taken to find targets and destroy them – enabling faster offensive action.
“The Vector AI comes from a lineage of drones used in Ukraine and other conflicts, with each upgrade shaped by thousands of mission hours across global military operations.”
According to drone pilot Corporal Harrison Hinson of 2nd Cavalry Regiment, his unit would usually identify the enemy with “mounted and dismounted reconnaissance using direct observation”.
“This also means that we would be putting our soldiers in direct fire range and at risk of compromise,” he said.
“With our employment of drones, we have one more tool at our disposal to enhance our reconnaissance and strike capabilities.”
Hinson said that while flying the drones themselves is “quite easy if you have flown other systems, they need to consider both offensive and defensive uses.
“We have to assume we are always being observed and need to better ourselves on how to hide or disguise our signatures,” he said.
The Australian Army last month announced the integration of Quantum Systems’ Vector drones into the 9th Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.
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