iscover
HMAS Arafura has completed a series of remotely piloted aircraft system trials in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, testing uncrewed surveillance and logistics support from an offshore patrol vessel.
The trial, from 17 to 21 August, assessed two Australian-developed systems: the uncrewed maritime logistics-focused Callisto 50 trial demonstrated autonomous launch and recovery from a moving ship, while the Arace Angel trialled airborne surveillance and night operations.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Director Navy Logistics Readiness Captain David Turner noted the activity marked an important step in Navy’s assessment of autonomous systems for future maritime operations.
“Uncrewed systems have the potential to extend the reach of our ships, strengthen situational awareness and provide new options for logistics support at sea,” CAPT Turner said.
“This trial has given Navy valuable operational data and practical experience that will inform how autonomous capabilities are developed, integrated and employed across the fleet.”
During the activity, personnel from the Directorate of Navy Logistics Readiness and Arafura completed 23 flights, accumulating about six hours of flying time in a range of operating conditions, including night operations.
Remote Pilot Warfare Officer SBLT Dylan Wick explained that the program tested how the aircraft operated in a realistic maritime environment.
“We launched and recovered aircraft from a moving vessel and demonstrated the transfer of stores using an underslung load between the ship and its rapid insertion craft,” SBLT Wick said.
“For operators, the trial showed how uncrewed aircraft can provide an additional set of eyes beyond the ship, while reducing the need to place people in higher-risk tasks and areas.”
The Callisto 50 demonstrated its logistics utility through a series of stores delivery activities using a beacon mounted on HMAS Arafura to maintain its position relative to the vessel.
The Arace Angel carried electro-optical and infrared sensors and operated in a ship-referenced flight mode as part of the trials.
The trial also included electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing, along with the collection of operational data to support future development of autonomous systems within Navy.
The logistics activities built on Callisto 50’s growing operational employment within Navy following its embarked operational assessment on board HMAS Adelaide earlier this year.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
