Nova Systems has signed an agreement with Canada’s International Test Pilots School (ITPS) to develop and deliver advanced aerospace and uncrewed systems flight training.
ITPS is the only privately-owned test pilot school globally and is now expanding rapidly on the back of interest from South Korea, Europe and Canada.
“We’ve had a number of cohorts come through our Advanced T&E Training Program and we’re excited to collaborate with ITPS,” Nova T&E Capability Lead Tim Grabert said to ADM. “We think we can support their offerings and there’s a lot they do that we will benefit from.”
Four Australians with military experience now work for ITPS, improving people-people connections.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines collaboration on the local delivery of ITPS training programs, co-development of new training courses and the integration of Nova Systems’ advanced Test and Evaluation (T&E) training into the ITPS curriculum.
Air Forces and industry from around the globe send students to ITPS to learn flight test in various fixed and rotary wing aircraft and uncrewed systems. Meanwhile, Australian-owned Nova Systems has been investing in technologies and digital engineering toolsets to deliver T&E capability and training solutions in Australia.
The strategic partnership also addresses the growing demand for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) expertise by Defence and government. ITPS’s training program operates successfully in Canada and may be further expanded through the development of an Australian UAS training hub. According to Nova, this would provide enhanced access for regional partners, and promote high-tech education and innovation across both nations.
These efforts fall under Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities 5 (development of autonomous systems) and 7 (T&E systems assurance).
Nova Systems is embedded as part of the La Trobe Valley Technology Precinct, leveraging the flight test facilities and airspace to test UAS, including field testing the development and testing of AI algorithms to detect and differentiate objects – including Russian TM-62 mines, one of the most common mines found globally.
“The Russian TM-62 anti-tank mine is all over eastern Europe,” Grabert said. “We’ve designed AI, carried by UAS, that can pick out TM-62 mines. We created an environment where AI can train to detect these mines.”
“The collaboration with ITPS supports our efforts to be at the cutting-edge of T&E and deliver world-class training and capability solutions that meet the evolving needs of Defence and other clients,” Dean Rosenfield, Nova Systems CEO, said.
"Partnering with Nova Systems expands our global reach and enhances the advanced training we provide—developing highly skilled professionals ready to lead and innovate in today’s complex, technology-driven aerospace and defence environments across both nations," said Dave Lohse, ITPS CEO.