The deal will initially see the ASX-listed company create a costed scope of work. If approved, Orbital will then be tasked with completing the development in the second half of FY23.
Sara Hales said electric aircraft would help connect smaller population centres to larger cities, as well as transforming services such as freight, medical delivery and disaster response.
Alauda Aeronautics has been experimenting with the aircraft for the last 18 months in the SA desert, with tests including a 100km/h drag race.
Professor Julie-Ann Tarr from the Queensland University of Technology has called for law reform around personal drone use, due to novel violations and disturbances posed by increasing drone usage.
DroneShield said it’s been providing its products as part of a military aid contract, separate from the official Australian government aid.
The Australian carbon fibre composites manufacturer has signed a deal with European business Dronamics to help launch the ‘Black Swan’ aircraft later this year.