Aerosonde prepares for Coastwatch opportunities

Melbourne-based Aerosonde is pushing hard to win a Coastwatch trials contract which will demonstrate the utility of TUAVs in offshore and littoral surveillance.
Shortly after this edition of ADM closed for press, tenders closed for the provision of a Tactical UAV to take part in a $660,000 Coastwatch targeted surveillance trial in the Western Torres Strait.

Customs issued the RFT in March for "suitably experienced and skilled organisations to provide a UAV to respond to Customs Coastwatch targeting within a designated Area of Operation (AO) west of the Torres Strait. Customs intends to trial the effectiveness of the UAV as a surveillance sensor platform."

The purpose of the trial, which was announced by Justice Minister Chris Ellison during the federal election campaign last year, "is to assess the suitability of the UAV for targeted maritime surveillance. During the trial Coastwatch will provide surveillance targets based on known co-ordinates which may include targets identified by [Daronmont Technologies' SECAR] High Frequency Surface Wave Radar (HFSWR)." The SECAR sensor is located on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait for a two-year Defence and Coastwatch trial.

It will commence on July 1 and run for 12 months, though UAV operations will likely take place in two separate windows so they can operate in a variety of weather and sea conditions, and to revise and refine any operational issues that may arise during the trial.

The trial program will see Coastwatch cue the UAV to investigate targets in day VMC and IMC conditions - and, desirably, at night. A radar is desirable; so is an Electro-Optical and Infra Red (EO/IR) sensor system; at the very least, it's essential the UAV be equipped with a digital video or still camera, with a data link to download surveillance information and imagery in at least near-real time. The UAV must be able to get into the search area within three hours of a tasking order from Coastwatch.

Aerosonde said it would respond to the RFT, offering either day or day/night sensor payloads. The day sensor suite will consist of a forward-looking video, downward-looking video and high-resolution digital still camera. The alternative day/night payload will consist of an IR sensor. The company proposes to fly the UAV from Horn Island, which is adjacent to Thursday Island.

Last year Aerosonde took part in an extended UAV surveillance trial off Western Australia and, in 2003, five Aerosonde TUAVs and a ground station were deployed to Solomon Islands to support the Australian-led humanitarian intervention there.

At the Avalon air show in March, Aerosonde was named as one of the local industry partners supporting the BAE Systems Australia/AAI bid for Defence's Tactical UAV program, JP129. The company also unveiled the latest version of its UAV, the Mk4.1, with greater payload and endurance and increased fuselage volume for sensors.

The Mark 4.1 introduces a new level of distributed network technology using a robust four wire network interconnection, based on the Controller Area Network (CAN) specification. This provides communications between the guidance computer and the airframe and engine components.

"The CAN networking approach radically reduces airframe weight, whilst markedly improving aircraft serviceability and reliability, and providing enhanced capability for operating with a variety of guidance solutions and payload systems," says Aerosonde's Chief Operating Officer, Greg Tyrrell. The airframe enhancements increase payload by 20 per cent to 6kg; increase internal volume by 30 per cent; and increase endurance by 20 per cent to more than 36 hours.

Elements of the Aerosonde 4.1 have been retrofitted to four Aerosonde UAVs owned by the Office of Naval Research and Alion in the United States. These aircraft, equipped with Cloud Cap Technology's
During the three trade days of the Avalon air show a Mk 3 Aerosonde carried out extended daily demonstrations of Australia's UAV Surveillance Systems capabilities under the aegis of the Federal Departments of Industry Tourism & Resources and Education, Science and Training.

The TUAV launched from the main runway at Avalon each morning and patrolled Port Philip Bay into the afternoon, transmitting real time video data back to operators on the Australian UAV stand (part of the combined Defence/DITR exhibit) and elsewhere.

The UAV used the Tenix-developed pan/tilt/zoom video capability to zoom in, identify and track any targets of interest including vessels, and pollution.

The demonstrations were a showcase for a whole of Australia UAV capability sponsored by DITR as part of the federal government's Aerospace Industry Action Agenda, and were supported by DSTO, Ocean Software and Tenix.

"The Action Agenda also identified the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market as providing an opportunity for Australia to exploit its aerospace and unmanned technology capabilities," said Warren Entsch, federal parliamentary secretary for industry, at the launch of a CD promoting about 70 Australian organisations' UAV-related capabilities.

"The Capability CD will be a valuable promotional tool for Australia's aerospace and defence industries both within Australia and in the international market...[and] will also help to facilitate new Australian partnerships and projects in developing a competitive and sustainable aerospace and unmanned technologies industry sector."

"Australia has a number of companies producing UAVs and related technologies for the international market. Australian companies and research agencies have strengths in a range of unmanned aerial vehicle technologies including intelligent systems, advanced composites and heavy fuel engines that are attractive to overseas buyers and this capability directory will help market those strengths."

By Gregor Ferguson, Adelaide

Australian unmanned technologies aiming for great heights - A capability CD promoting for Australia's aerospace and defence industries to the world was launched today by Federal Industry Parliamentary Secretary Warren Entsch at the Australian International Airshow in Avalon, Victoria.

The new CD was produced by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources as part of the Government's support for the unmanned technologies industry.

"The CD features comprehensive information about 70 organisations' capabilities relevant to the unmanned vehicles industry sector," Mr Entsch said.

"The Capability CD will be a valuable promotional tool for Australia's aerospace and defence industries both within Australia and in the international market.

"It will also help to facilitate new Australian partnerships and projects in developing a competitive and sustainable aerospace and unmanned technologies industry sector."

In 2002 the Government, in conjunction with the industry, developed the Aerospace Industry Action Agenda.

"The first successful outcome of the Aerospace Industry Action Agenda was the Government's decision to invest US$150 million as a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. This allowed Australian firms to secure business with some of the world's leading aerospace companies," Mr Entsch said.

"The Action Agenda also identified the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market as providing an opportunity for Australia to exploit its aerospace and unmanned technology capabilities.

"Australia has a number of companies producing UAVs and related technologies for the international market. Australian companies and research agencies have strengths in a range of unmanned aerial vehicle technologies including intelligent systems, advanced composites and heavy fuel engines that are attractive to overseas buyers and this capability directory will help market those strengths.

"The CD launched today will be a valuable source of information for those seeking information about Australian unmanned technology capabilities and will help foster growth of the Australian industry."

Aerosonde Unveils its Mark 4.1 UAV - Mr Peter Smith, Chairman Aerosonde Pty Ltd, today announced the release of the Australian UAV company's next generation Aerosonde UAV, the Mark 4.1.

"We listened to our customers' needs" Peter Smith said "the result is an aircraft with greater payload and endurance, increased volume for sensors, and even greater reliability."

The Aerosonde unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a fully autonomous aircraft designed and proven over a range of mission profiles. The UAV is capable of carrying a wide variety both civilian and military payloads.

Building upon the success of its predecessors, the innovative smart airframe embodied in the Mark 4.1 introduces a new level of distributed network technology.

This uses a robust four wire network interconnection, based on the Controller Area Network (CAN) specification, to provide communications between the guidance computer and the airframe and engine components.

Commenting on the new design, Aerosonde's Chief Operating Officer, Greg Tyrrell, said, "The CAN networking approach radically reduces airframe weight, whilst markedly improving aircraft serviceability and reliability, and providing enhanced capability for operating with a variety of guidance solutions and payload systems."

Improvements incorporated in the Mk 4.1 include:

20% payload increase to 6 kg maximum

30% payload volume increase

20% endurance increase to more than 36 hours

The new powertrain system, based around Aerosonde's proven electronic fuel injected engine, now provides a dedicated payload supply with a 75W continuous capability. A separate 40W supply is provided for use by the guidance system.

The new airframe systems have already entered service with the upgrade of four Aerosonde UAVs owned by the Office of Naval Research and Alion in the United States.

These aircraft, equipped with Cloud Cap Technology's
In their new configuration the aircraft are capable of carrying a maximum payload weight of 6 kg with an endurance of 30+ hours.

For further information, please contact: Kate Wright, Aerosonde Pty Ltd Ph: +61 3 9544 0866

The ongoing evolution of the Aerosonde UAV in 2005 will see the production of the Mk 4 variant which will be powered by the proven EFI power plant but an upgraded generator will provide 75 watts of power to a payload interface. A new avionics is also being integrated utilising CAN (controller area network) communications between distributed components. It includes a payload interface to allow in-flight, payload initiated, automated aircraft re-tasking. This interface allows intelligent-agent and aircraft swarming operations.

Australian International Airshow 2005 - Aerosonde Pty Ltd will be presenting at the Australian International Airshow 2005 March 15-20, Avalon Airport, Victoria

Leading Australian UAV systems company Aerosonde Pty Ltd is carrying out extended daily demonstrations of Australia's UAV Surveillance Systems capabilities on the Trade Days of the International Air Show at Avalon (15-17 March)

The demonstrations involve:

Launching an Aerosonde UAV from Avalon East airstrip at 1000 am daily

Positioning the Aerosonde and its surveillance sensor payloads over Port Philip Bay until approximately 1400.

Transmitting real time video data back to operators on the Australian UAV stand in Hall 2 and elsewhere.

Using pan/tilt/zoom video capability to zoom in, identify and track any targets of interest including vessels, and pollution.

The demonstrations, are being supported by the Department of Industry, Tourism & Resources and the Department of Education, Science & Training.

Australian organisations contributing to the demonstration include:

Defence Science & Technology Organisation

Ocean Software

Tenix Defence Pty Ltd

For further information, contact: Greg Tyrrell (COO Aerosonde) 0418 557 961 at the Air Show, Kate Wright (Company Secretary) 03 9544 0866 at Aerosnde Pty Ltd