Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisolm today released details of 12 projects that will benefit from funding under Round 2 of the Emerging Aviation Technologies Partnership (EATP) program.
Among the companies successful in obtaining grants are Bankstown eVTOL developer AMSL Aero, software company AvSoft, Bundaberg's Jabiru Aircraft and Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
The EATP program focuses 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.
“We’re already honouring our commitment to build a Future Made in Australia by 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," Chisholm said.
“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.
“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."
The 12 successful projects are:
- AMSL Aero – eVTOL and hydrogen fuel systems
- Autospray – UAVs for farm spraying
- AvSoft – beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) software for UAVs
- Electro.Aero – high-powered electric aircraft charger development
- Jabiru – electric motors for crewed and uncrewed aircraft
- Li-S Energy – fixed-wing UAV with solar and battery integration
- QUT – digital toolkit for risk analysis for emerging aviation technology
- Raindance Systems – UAV incendiary system for controlled burns in Kakadu
- Stralis Aircraft – convert single-engine aircraft to hydrogen-electric power
- Macquarie University – uncrewed flight demonstrator for aerodynamic circulation control
- Wedgetail Aerospace – UAV hub at Karratha including regional re-supply trials.
“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," Chisholm said, "because when we invest in local innovation and manufacturing, it creates more opportunity for our regions now and into the future."
A detailed list of the successful projects is on the Federal Government's Emerging Aviation Technology website.