Australian Aviation

As part of the agreement, signed off by the US, the country will also procure a tailored sustainment solution, information technology and software support, as well as a training program.

The mission had appeared to go to plan, but an as-yet unexplained problem appears to have occurred after the rocket was dropped from the aircraft.

According to an ASX statement, DroneShield’s order requires “relevant export approvals”, with deliveries of the most recent purchase expected to be completed by mid-2023.

It marks the company’s first commercial launch outside its Mojave base in California and comes before it plans to demonstrator launch at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in 2024.

The mission was in support of an initiative that sees the Australian government work with more than 150 research institutions globally to study the region.

The helicopters are currently en-route from Townsville in the Top End while the Hercules has transported WA emergency services workers to Broome.