Study for UAS flight in Australian airspace underway
Northrop Grumman is working with Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University to study airworthiness requirements for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Australia.
The study is primarily focused on the operation of larger UAVs around the size of small commercial jets, and the solutions required to safely and efficiently fly these systems in all aerospace environments.
Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia, said: ‘As a producer of large-scale unmanned aircraft systems, our goal is not only to provide the aircraft, but also to understand fully the Australian government's needs to certify them for operation. We're extremely excited to work with RMIT University because of their leadership in the development of innovative approaches to civil and military airspace regulatory reform and air vehicle certification.’
Reece Clothier, from RMIT's Sir Lawrence Wackett Aerospace Research Centre, added: ‘Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of high-altitude unmanned aircraft systems that will provide a transformative capability to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). In collaboration with Northrop Grumman and the ADF, we will help establish a plan for bringing this unique capability into service.’
Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk system became the first UAV to achieve US military airworthiness certification, along with a certificate of authorisation from the US Federal Aviation Administration, recognising the system for its ability to routinely fly within national airspace.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet]()
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
