The head of the Fed invests $13.5 million in the aviation sector

The Federal Government is providing $13.5 million for 12 projects to develop and apply new aviation technologies to support Australia’s aviation sector.

Funded under the second round of the federal government’s Emerging Aerospace Technology Partnerships program, these projects will focus on supporting technologies that can increase the production and use of digital technology in agriculture, improve regional connectivity to national supply chains, and improve outcomes for regional and remote First Nations communities.

This includes investing in drones for use in humanitarian aviation and disaster relief operations, providing cargo services in regional and remote Australia, and transporting health products to First Nations communities across the Torres Strait.

Funding will also be used to invest in uncrewed aircraft, including testing 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-carbon energy sources for these aviation technologies, including the development of an electric engine and charger for high-power electric aircraft.

This funding builds on an $18 million investment in 12 projects in the first round of the program, which is already supporting critical projects such as air ambulance trials in regional Australia and the development of a more efficient propeller design for new and traditional aircraft.

Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Education Anthony Chisholm said under this program the Government was working with industry to develop innovative aviation technologies that could make a real difference to communities, particularly those in regional, rural and remote Australia.

“This includes drones and remotely piloted aircraft that will ensure remote communities have access to the health services they need, and the cargo will end up on the shelves of your local grocery store,” Chisholm said.

“Some of these latest projects will explore how emerging aerospace can support farmers and unlock production opportunities in Australia, as well as how we can make this technology cheaper and more sustainable to make it more widely available to communities.

“I look forward to seeing these projects begin and the impact they will have on our regional, rural and remote communities, because by investing in local innovation and manufacturing, it creates more opportunities for our regions now and for the future.”

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