ACMA - RadComms2014
UAS Technology an
Emerging Strategic Capability in
Driving Australian Productivity
By Mark Xavier
(Group MD/CEO)

Focus of this Presentation
 UAS/UAV Technology (Overview)
 Productivity Benefits (How, What & Where)
 A Market Disruptor
(Evolutionary vs Revolutionary)
 Business Strategy
(Options – buy, lease or rent)
 Capability Sustainment (Challenges)

Platform Type
Control & data-links
4G, P2P, WAN, etc
Ground Control Station
Sensors
EO/other
(day / night)
Data
Information
Real time or
Stills

Applications - Actionable Product
 HD streaming video – Day/Night;
 HD stills –
Colour, Hyper/multi spec, 3D models;
 Sensing – weather/climate/environment;
 Telecom/Mobile Bandwidth Platforms;
 Delivery – food/water, medical, SAR & SFR
NB: CASA 600+ applications

Small RPAS in emergency management

QLD Rural Fire Trials 2010

 Real-time appreciation
 Rapid decision making
 Accurate resource allocation
 Task Prioritisation
 OH&S support
 Tactical view anywhere via www

3D Survey of Mines & other Assets

3D Modelling of terrain and other assets

UAS
Technology Support
Human
Organization
Remote
Crew
Regulations Operations Maintenance
Operational
&
Effective

Networks of Integrated Systems

Productivity
Is an average measure of the efficiency of production. The ratio of inputs to outputs in the production process.
UAS/UAV Technology will provide the end-user the geospatial information to deploy more cost-effectively:
 Labour; and
 Capital (including other robots).
The result will be significant productivity gains particularly once a multiplier effect can be achieved using other robots and automation.
A few % will result in $B to Australia’s GDP bottom line.

Example - Robots as a Productivity Multiplier

Productivity Benefits – Who?
 Mining & Energy
 Agriculture & Aquaculture
 Forestry & Environment
 Infrastructure & Construction
 Education & Tourism
 Government & Defense
 Hi-Tech Industries
NB: Any sector that is geospatially challenged!

Productivity Benefits – How?
 24/7 Automation
(Never Sleeps)
 Accuracy
(cm/mm – revolutionary in many sectors)
 Repeatability
(Change Management)
 Reliability
(Continuous Improvement)
 Access (Business Model & Low-Cost Options)

Productivity Outcome
 Higher Quality of Output (Premiums)
 Higher Quantity of Output
(new markets)
 Lower Cost per unit Produced
(Efficient)
 Reduced Waste
(use only what is required)
 Continuous Improvement
(tech & processes)

Productivity – Challenges
 Technology Uptake
(Capability Development)
 Regulatory Issues (Pace of Change)
 Public Perceptions
(False & Real)
 Bandwidth
(ACMA Challenge)
 Data
(Processing, Storage & Privacy/Security)

The National Airspace (NAS)
> 500ft Operations
(Higher Barriers to Entry)
Larger Systems 20kg+
100ft Buffer/transition zone
< 400ft Operations (Lower Barriers to Entry)
Small Systems 1-20kg

The National Airspace (NAS)
> 500-60,000ft Operations
100ft Buffer/transition zone
< 400ft Operations

The Market Disruptor
> 500ft Operations
(Hi-Regulatory costs)
Evolutionary – Substitution of current Aviation Capabilities
< 400ft Operations (Low-Regulatory costs)
Revolutionary – New Industry Capabilities

Market Development Example
> 500ft Operations
(IBM - Big Blue)
100ft Buffer/transition zone
< 400ft Operations
(PC on every desk)

Majority by UOC numbers 99%
 < 400ft systems (Tier 1 UAS)
 < 7kg electric fixed and or multi-rotor
 Visual line of sight (VLOS)
 Scope for BVLOS, night & populous ops
 Lower cost to purchase, comply & employ

Tiered UAS Business Approach
 Tier 1 – Organic Tactical ‘tool box’ approach
 Tier 2 – Service Agreements with Govt/ASX
 Tier 3 – Federal Agencies (ADF/BPC)
• Tier 1 UAS are revolutionary (new capability tool)
• Tier 2+ UAS are evolutionary (supplement manned operations)
N.B: Access to any tier will be limited by cost & difficulty of employment

Business Model Options
 Organic developed capability
 Purchased 3 rd Party Services
 Mixed – organic & 3 rd party services*
Usually for overflow or for beyond routine tasks
N.B: Volunteer crews in EMS organisations

Small UAS/UAVs in volunteer based community organisations could be significant
SLSA Beach Trials 2012

UAS
Technology Support
Human
Organization
Remote
Crew
Regulations Operations Maintenance
Operational
&
Effective

Correctly Employed UAS/UAV
Technology will have a
Significant Commercial Multiplier
Effect in Driving Australia’s Core
Economic Productivity