Drone pilots in Tassie flying high

Troops in Tasmania are taking their unmanned aerial system skills to new heights, as the exciting Edge 130-B drone lands in the state.

CAPTION: The Edge 130-B unmanned aerial system. Story by Captain Tim Klingner. Photos by Captain Byron Senysyn.

It won’t be long before even more soldiers are taking to the skies across Tasmania, with four soldiers from 2nd/10th Battery, 9th Regiment, Royal Australia Artillery now qualified to instruct the new system after completing the new Edge 130-B train-the-trainer course.

Launceston-based Lieutenant Samuel Diprose Adams was one of the first to be put through the new course at Buckland Military Training Area in Southern Tasmania.

“It is always exciting to see the latest innovations in drone technology and see how fast the technology is improving,” Lieutenant Diprose Adams said.

“Whether it’s new and better cameras, better flight profiles, longer batteries, or a combination, each new drone enables us to do more.

“They create exciting new opportunities for how we can use them for training – in the field, on deployment, or working with others like local emergency services drone teams.”

This was the first of two courses for the new program in Tasmania to introduce the Edge 130-B. Once completed soldiers will be qualified to train troops around Tasmania to use the new technology.

“Because of people’s different backgrounds and experiences, every time we train new pilots we discover better ways of using the drones that we hadn’t thought of before,” he said.

“Training new drone pilots also means we have more people that can use these drones should help be needed.

“With further investment in drone technology expected, these skills will continue to enhance the capability within our Defence Force in Tasmania.

“The Edge supports both military training through route reconnaissance, terrain analysis and convoy overwatch, as well as tasks assisting the community.

“We take our drones along to community events and displays, and there are lots of videos online, so the best way for someone to start is to find a current army drone operator and speak with them.

“Every year we’re getting more people wanting to join as drone pilots, so even in Tassie there are more pilots out there than you might think.”

CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers gather round the instructor during the train-the-trainer course at Buckland training area in Tasmania

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