Page 13 - AVALON 2023 - Day 1 | DAILY NEWS

Peter Newington, Babcock’s Director of
© Babcock Australasia
Aviation and Critical Services, said, ‘This
partnership with IAI is about bringing
together solutions that are the best fit
for our customers, integrating our rotary
capabilities with RPAs to deliver the most
effective and cost-efficient solutions.’

Newington pointed out that Babcock
already holds a Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Operator’s Certificate, which will facilitate
WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL flights
in Australia.

BABCOCK AUSTRALASIA AND Yonatan Segev, IAI Australia’s Managing
Director, commented: ‘From the tacti-
cal WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL
IAI FORGE UAV COOPERATION systems to the medium-altitude long-en-
durance Maritime Heron, IAI looks forward
On Valentine’s Day, Babcock Australasia demonstration of two different UAVs, the to bringing the most advanced technology
and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL, some- together with our partners in Babcock
announced the start of a special rela- time in 2023. In these demonstrations, the to offer unique operational solutions to
tionship. The two parties signed an MoU partners will pursue operational concepts customers.’
encompassing UAV solutions for law suited to state and federal agencies.
enforcement, maritime surveillance and The mention of the Maritime Heron is inter-
disaster management within Australia. More than 250 of these vertical take-off and esting. The RAAF flew Heron UAVs for a
landing UAVs are already flying worldwide. number of years until they were retired in
June 2017.
This MoU will enable the in-country

wirelessly.
PHOENIX Landers explained: ‘The Phoenix Pod has

POD RISES been flown on Learjets, PC-9s and our
Cessna O-2A test and evaluation aircraft.
Versatility is the strength of the pod – it
TO THE FORE can be fitted to any type of aircraft that
has stores pylons fitted, which allows for
WITH SINAB a range of contract close air support solu-
tions in support of military training, without
using valuable hours from operational mil-
The Australian firm SiNAB is display- itary aircraft.’
ing its Phoenix intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR) pod at Avalon SiNAB said that the Phoenix Pod has other
Airshow 2023, with the sensor attached to applications too, since the pod can turn the
a Cessna test and evaluation aircraft. © SiNAB most basic of aircraft into an advanced ISR
asset. For instance, it is suitable for any
The Phoenix Pod is a self-contained unit this reduces the cost of training compared service where aerial surveillance is criti-
incorporating a high-resolution EO/IR to having to use expensive military aircraft. cal for decision-making, including natural
sensor (comprising five electro-optic and disaster responses to bushfires or the like,
infrared cameras), a laser pointer and des- The technology for the Phoenix Pod or search and rescue. The sensor could
ignator, and air-to-ground communications was developed with assistance from the provide instant data where and when it is
system. The latter includes secure voice Defence Innovation Hub and the RAAF. needed.
and data, Link 16, video downlink and
mobile ad hoc network. Indeed, Tony Landers, SiNAB’s CEO, The device has been exhibited interna-
acknowledged: ‘Support from the Defence tionally at events such as Eurosatory, but
It is aimed at training scenarios, where Innovation Hub has allowed us to evolve Avalon Airshow 2023 is the first time for
the pod can be easily integrated onto an the system from prototype through to oper- visitors to ‘have a hands-on operational
aircraft, and can then emulate long-range ational test and evaluation. We now have experience,’ said its maker.
target and close air support capabilities. a system that can be used in support of
It is ideal for training joint terminal attack Australian and international JTAC training.’ The Phoenix Pod is an integral part of
controllers (JTAC), for example. SiNAB’s own Phoenix JTAC Training
The Phoenix Pod operates on its own Solution (PJTS), developed to help the
Because it can be fitted on low-cost aircraft batteries, and is controlled by a tablet Australian Defence Force to meet JTAC
and is electrically isolated from the aircraft, human-machine interface that connects training obligations.

AVALON 2023 FEBRUARY-28-2023 | 13