The Royal Australian Air Force’s Air Warfare Centre’s Air Force Test Ranges Squadron (AFTRSQN) has identified that a training system is required for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
The center said that a training system needed to be created in order to realise a safe, effective and credible UAS capability.
According to the RAAF, UAS Flight Commander Squadron Leader Martin Young found the existing Defence Remote Pilot Licence (DRePL) to be suitable, and has completed the required processes to deliver the training in-house.
“Essentially, a copy of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved civilian Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), the DRePL enables night flying, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flying and flight above 400 feet,” the RAAF said in a statement.
During the concept development phase, the RAAF said its team liaised directly with private industry and other Australian Defence Force (ADF) units. In doing so, it identified the US-developed platforms Parrot and Skydio X10 as the ideal systems for initial employment.
Initial courses have already been conducted at RAAF Base Edinburgh and Evans Head Air Weapons Range, with more curriculum forecasted to be run across other sites.
AFTRSQN is also conducting further training to provide UAS operators with the required competency to run future DRePL courses for the Air force.
“Future progression will seek to upskill to larger and newer systems, and continue developing specialist skills such as 3D mapping and change detection. Opportunities to branch into fixed-wing UAS exist and will also be a focus for continued growth allowing for extended BVLOS and the introduction of autonomous missions,” the RAAF said.
“Members are trained on key aviation concepts and TTPs (tactics, techniques, procedures), and are able to gain hands-on experience and connection with the air domain that they wouldn’t otherwise,” Executive Officer AFTRSQN Squadron Leader Samuel Baldock said, adding that the training has been “great” for cohesion and boosting the team’s morale.