ADF’s first use of UAVs

The type of UAV being deployed.

THE ADF will deploy for the first time on operations four Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as part of the regional assistance mission to the Solomon Islands.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said the deployment represented a “significant advance in the development of our network-centric warfare capabilities”.

He said the Australian designed and built Aerosonde aircraft, operated by SAAB Australia, would be equipped with day and night sensors and communications equipment. They will be capable of conducting surveillance of the Solomons’ remote areas and coastlines, providing images to military personnel on the ground and headquarters staff.”

The UAVs in the Solomons will be operated and supported by Army scientists, engineers and other support personnel as well as DSTO scientists.

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