Australia has launched a national unmanned air vehicle technology-demonstration programme as a means of expanding domestic aerospace industry capabilities, writes Peter La Franchi.
The technology demonstration is targeting development of a small- to medium-size UAV in the 100-150kg (220-330lb) range over three years.
Funding for the initiative is to be raised by linking a multitude of Australian federal and state government grant schemes.
However, if insufficient resources are garnered, the fall-back plan is to foster a variety of UAV-related technologies to improve Australian industry capability and competitiveness in this sector.
The project is being co-ordinated by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR) as part of the national Aerospace Industry Action Agenda officially released by the Australian government in March.
According to David Mitchell, UAV development programme manager at DITR, the initiative is intended to "promote the research and development, engineering and manufacturing capabilities" of the Australian aerospace industry.
Source: Flight International
