In November last year, ADM reported on Navy’s decision to purchase Edge 130 Blue Uncrewed Aerial Systems (SUAS) from US-based Red Cat Holdings.
The decision to buy drones from overseas, rather than domestically, proved controversial which led to the topic becoming a topic of contention in November’s round of Senate Estimates where more information was revealed.
Under questioning by Senator David Fawcett, Chief of Navy Mark Hammond explained that Navy's procurement of the SUAS, which was the only Australian deal announced by Red Cat, had been piggybacked on top of an existing order for 42 systems by Army.
“They're military grade and are under acquisition in an Army minor project… We've sought to piggyback a small purchase of 12 to conduct a trial which includes interoperability with the Australian Army and, potentially, with the US Coast Guard,” explained Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.
“That's been funded out of a Navy minor project; it's about $470,000. That trial will inform further development, and it's for maritime, over-the-horizon surveillance from our Evolved Cape class patrol boats to support the border protection mission,” VADM Hammond added.
The details of Army’s procurement are not yet clear, however, some Army systems are already in use with the 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.
“The Edge 130-B will increase Army’s ability conduct route reconnaissance, terrain analysis, and convoy overwatch, as well tasks assisting the community such as search and rescue and supporting the Tasmania Police remotely piloted aircraft system team,” Defence said on its website.
The Edge 130 Blue is on the US Defense Innovation Unit's Blue list which means that it has been certified against US Department of Defence security requirements for commercial systems.