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NT-based Charles Darwin University (CDU) is working with research and manufacturing partners to develop medical drones for the Australian Army.
Led by the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS) at CDU and supported by the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA), the project is looking to adapt hybrid two-stroke engine drones for long-range cold chain operations such as medical drops.
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The goal is to solve “technical, logistical and regulatory challenges” associated with using heavy-fuel cargo drones on the battlefield as the Australian government invests in sovereign uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) capability.
Partners include Queensland-based UAS manufacturer SAIDYNAMICS, as well as Griffith University’s Centre for Enterprise Architecture Research and Management, which will develop algorithms to help drones navigate in environments where GPS signals are degraded.
“QDSA believes this particular project has real potential to solve some of the logistics distribution challenges in remote locations of Northern Australia that will benefit Defence, Queensland and the Northern Territory,” QDSA director Stuart Blackwell said.
CDU’s deputy vice-chancellor of research and community connections, Professor Steve Rogers, says the university is positioning itself to help boost defence capabilities.
“Australia needs to be at the forefront of defence research and innovation, and our researchers will provide strategically vital experience to these projects,” he said.
“Charles Darwin University became a member of the Queensland Defence Science Alliance less than a year ago and the beginning of these projects are a testament to our world-leading knowledge and capabilities.”
Trials within visual line of sight are set to begin in the NT within the next few months, with beyond-visual line-of-sight testing (BVLOS) requiring regulatory approval to proceed.
According to NACAS professor Hamish Campbell, the NT has low-ground infrastructure and a sparse population, making it a good location for drone flight trials.
“NACAS is one of the leading organisations in Australia for research into UAS airspace integration, and this will be bolstered by the opening of the new Airspace Integration Research Facility (AIR-F) later in 2025,” he said.
NT Chief Minister and Minister for Defence Lia Finocchiario said the NT government is pleased to support the program.
“This research reinforces the importance of the Northern Territory to our nation’s defence security and strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific,” Minister Finocchiaro said.
“I look forward to showcasing the incredible capabilities of our industry at NT Defence Week in April 2025.”
