In recent years, remote pilots have overtaken CASA-licensed fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter and other pilots to become Australia’s biggest pilot group, according to CASA.
The American defence company produces the V-BAT vertical-takeoff and landing, AI-based uncrewed aerial system for military, border protection, law enforcement, search and rescue, climate surveillance and disaster management operations.
The remotely piloted aircraft system, which can carry a 25-kilogram underslung payload with a maximum 40-minute flight time and a maximum 15-kilometre operating range, was tested as a possible delivery system for the Royal Australian Navy to receive crucial stores without having to launch a helicopter or off-task personnel.
Defence has confirmed initial tests were recently completed on the first remotely piloted aircraft system, based at RAAF Base Tindal, and that the second and third aircraft arrived at the facility in May this year.
The agreement will see the two organisations collaborate on the local delivery of ITPS training programs, jointly develop new aerospace and uncrewed training courses, and integrate Nova Systems’ advanced Test and Evaluation (T&E) training into the ITPS curriculum.
In a live exercise involving the MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aircraft, the demonstration showcased real-time sensor fusion, distributed command and control (C2), and autonomous kill chain execution, including an autonomous beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) air-to-air engagement.