Navy's Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit and the Navy Unmanned Aviation Systems Unit teams have conducted first-of-class flight trials to assess the operability of the ScanEagle system from the three remaining Adelaide-class FFGs.
The trials, conducted on HMAS Newcastle, echo earlier serials conducted on other RAN units such as HMAS Choules.
In addition to the ScanEagle, a universal Skyhook recovery system was embarked. Both are controlled from the ground control station, where new antennas and interconnections have been installed for this purpose.
Navy Daily said testing was conducted over several days, which included electronic interference detection, deck operations, as well as validation of the ship operating limits. Flight operations consisted of launching ScanEagle and conducting multiple approaches to the ship at various relative winds in order to validate a safe flight envelope for the aircraft. The extreme weather and associated high winds off the east coast assisted in testing the highest of these limits.
The ScanEagle system is a medium-range, endurance unmanned air vehicle, powered by a 1.9 horse power engine using either heavy fuel or petrol. It is 1.5 metres long, with a 3 metre wingspan, can fly as fast as 70 knots and has an endurance of more than 20 hours.
ScanEagle can carry a wide variety of payloads including cameras, sensors, and measuring equipment to assist the controlling ship in building a recognised maritime picture. It is capable of operating by day and night, and in a variety of meteorological conditions.
According to Navy Daily, the trials signified the first time that 'flag foxtrot' (used to denote the operation of fixed wing aircraft from a vessel) had flown from non-aircraft carrier vessel of the RAN since the WWII veteran HMAS Australia did so to launch her seaplanes.