CONTRACT SIGNATURE FOR ACQUISITION OF TACTICAL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES FOR ARMY

The Defence Materiel Organisation has signed contracts with Boeing Australia Limited for the delivery and support of a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) capability for the Army.

Boeing Australia, teamed with Israel Aircraft Industries, will provide the I-View UAV system. I-View has a wingspan of 6.7 metres and has a fully automatic take-off and landing system that dramatically increases operational reliability. Its catapult launcher and unique parafoil landing concept enable it to be deployed and recovered from an uneven area smaller than a football field.

This capability will enable 24 hour surveillance for the protection of Australian forces and identification of enemy targets.

The Army’s TUAVs will be operated by 132 Battery, of the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, which is based at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera. The introduction of the TUAVs in the Brisbane area is anticipated to create over 125 jobs in the region.

The TUAVs are scheduled to commence operational service in late 2009.

Still imagery and video footage of the I-View UAV can be found at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2005/Dec/20051212.cfm

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison          (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

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