The Federal Government is providing $13.5 million across 12 projects for the development and application of new aircraft technologies to support Australia’s aviation sector.
Funded under Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships program, these projects will focus on supporting technology that can grow manufacturing and the use of digital technology in farming, enhance regional connectivity with national supply chains and improve outcomes for regional and remote First Nations communities.
This includes investing in drones for use in humanitarian air and disaster recovery operations, delivering cargo services across regional and remote Australia, and transporting health products to First Nations communities across the Torres Strait.
The funding will also invest in uncrewed aircraft, including trialling large remotely piloted aircraft as an automated, zero-emissions solution for large-scale farm spraying in regional and remote areas.
A number of projects will explore renewable or low emission energy sources for these aviation technologies, including developing an electric motor and high-powered electric aircraft charger.
This funding builds on a $18 million investment for 12 projects under the program’s first round, which is already supporting critical projects such as air ambulance trials in regional Australia and developing a more efficient propeller design for emerging and traditional aircraft.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Education, Anthony Chisholm, said that the government is partnering with industry through this program to develop innovative aviation technologies that can make a real difference for communities, particularly those in regional, rural and remote Australia.
“This includes drones and remotely piloted aircraft that will ensure remote communities get access to the health services they need and the cargo makes its way onto the shelves at the local grocer,” Mr Chisholm said.
“Some of these latest projects will explore how emerging aviation can support farmers and unlock manufacturing opportunities in Australia, as well as how we can make this technology lower cost and more sustainable – to make them more widely accessible for communities.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the development of these projects get underway and the impact they will have in our regional, rural and remote communities, because when we invest in local innovation and manufacturing, it creates more opportunity for our regions now and into the future.”
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