iscover
The Australian Defence Force has deployed drones such as RQ-21 Integrator tactical uncrewed aerial systems for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
The American-made, catapult-launched and skyhook-recovered expeditionary drones have already been used in the skies over Shoalwater Bay in Queensland.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“We are conducting trace clearances for a combined joint live-fire exercise and we will be observing the fall of shot for HIMARS when they fire,” said Captain Harry Gray, battery second-in-command of Task Element Dragon from 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.
“But after that it will be normal operations for us, conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of the division, as well as target acquisition.
“We can operate our ground control stations as laptops in a PMV, whereas with Shadow, it was basically a large green box on the back of a truck.
“The skyhook recovery system also means we are not runway dependant; we just need an open area for it to glide into. The Shadow lands on its wheels, so we needed a graded surface.
“We push our controllers forward, extend our range and again, they’re more survivable and mobile. Once that aircraft is running out of fuel, they hand it back to us, we recover it and we get them a new one.”
The new system reportedly provides a longer flight time, greater operational range, better camera payload and smaller operator footprint on the ground than previous systems.
“In my role, I control the drone as well as take care of all the ground crew components such as wing assembly, fuelling, defuelling, launching and recovering the UAS,” drone operator Gunner Ishaan McNeil said.
“The most rewarding thing about operating the RQ-21 is being able to work in a close-knit team and support the mission and be successful in that task.”
