Australia Welcomes GA-ASI’s Reaper UAS
In partnership with Cobham, CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia, and Flight Data Systems, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has launched Team Reaper Australia, in support of the country’s Project Air 7003.
Project Air 7003 will look to provide a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS and ground control station to support the Australian Defence Force.
“General Atomics Aeronautical recognizes the importance of working with Australian established partners, and we are very pleased to be joined in this endeavor by Cobham – our key partner in Australia - CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia, and Flight Data Systems,” says GA-ASI’s CEO Linden Blue via press release.
“We have been working closely with the Australian Defence Force [ADF] to understand the operational needs of AIR 7003 and are confident that our RPA System [RPAS] solution will provide mature, persistent, interoperable support to Australia’s warfighters.”
Each of GA-ASI’s partners expressed excitement about this new partnership.
“We are pleased to join Team Reaper Australia as part of our growing international partnership with General Atomics to provide comprehensive training solutions for the Predator family of remotely piloted aircraft,” says CAE Australia’s vice president and general manager, Asia-Pacific/Middle East, Ian Bell.
Peter Nottage, Cobham Aviation Services’ president, says, “we are thrilled to be a part of Team Reaper Australia and look forward to delivering an RPAS solution in Australia.”
Michael Ward, the managing director of Raytheon Australia, echoed Nottage’s sentiments by saying, “we are thrilled to be part of Team Reaper Australia, offering our unique whole-of-life integration skills and an extensive aerospace experience to support this program and to contribute to Australia’s safety and security.”
Finally, Darren Privitera, general manager of Flight Data Systems PTY Ltd., says, “Flight Data Systems is proud to become part of the General Atomics team in Australia.”
The partnership was announced on Feb.28 during the opening of the U.S. Pavilion at AVALON 2017 – Australian International Aerospace and Defence Exposition, held in Geelong, Australia.
