Drones capable of delivering packages of up to 60 kilograms could soon be in operation at mine sites across the Pilbara, after a company behind a regional drone hub received funding.
Drones capable of delivering packages of up to 60 kilograms could soon be in operation at mine sites across the Pilbara, as an ambitious company behind a regional drone hub received funding to conduct trials.
Wedgetail Aerospace was awarded a share of $13.5 million in funding under round 2 of the Federal government’s Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships recently.
The company will use the funding to establish a drone hub at Karratha Airport and conduct trails of resupply by drone from, and between, regional centres.
The funds come after Wedgetail last year became the first to obtain Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval to operate large-scale drones commercially.
Among their flagship drones is the Camcopter S-100, a 3-meter-long aircraft capable of flying up to 600 kilometres while carrying loads from 10 to 60 kilograms.
The EATP program aims to support technology which can grow manufacturing and the use of digital technology in farming, enhance regional connectivity with national supply chains and improve outcomes for region and remote First Nations communities.
Two other WA companies also shared in the funding, Electro.Aero – who are developing a high-powered electric aircraft charger; and Raindance Systems – who are developing an aerial drone incendiary system to conduct controlled burn trials in the Kimberley and Kakadu National Park.
Regional Development and Education assistant minister Anthony Chisholm said the funding would help develop innovative aviation technologies which could make a real difference in communities.
“This includes drones and remotely piloted aircraft that will ensure remote communities get access to the health services they need, and the cargo makes its way onto the shelves at the local grocer,” he said.
“Some of these latest projects will explore how emerging aviation can support farmers and unlock manufacturing opportunities in Australia, as well as how we can make this technology lower cost and more sustainable – to make them more widely accessible for communities.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the development of these projects get underway and the impact they will have in our regional, rural and remote communities, because when we invest in local innovation and manufacturing, it creates more opportunity for our regions now and into the future.”
The $13.5 million comes in addition to $18 million invested in twelve projects in the program’s first round.
