General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has added five new companies to a team in support of the Australia’s Project AIR 7003 that seeks to build a Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) system.
Team Reaper Australia was formed in February this year to bring together Australian companies and GA-ASI in support of Project AIR 7003 and to create local jobs.
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It is aimed at expanding the involvement of Australian industry teammates in improving and sustaining the RPA system.
TAE Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Ultra Electronics Australia, Airspeed, and Quickstep Holdings have joined Team Reaper Australia’s existing members – Cobham, CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia, and Flight Data Systems.
GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue said: "General Atomics recognises the importance of having a robust team of Australian industry partners to support the Air 7003 requirements.
"We are strongly committed to partnerships with Australian industry and to providing a capable, affordable RPA system to the Australian Defence Force."
TAE Aerospace will support the team by providing gas turbine engine maintenance, repair and operations services.
Rockwell Collins and Ultra Electronics will provide mission system solutions and special-purpose sensors respectively for the MALE RPA project.
Additionally, Quickstep will deliver aerospace-grade, advanced composites and Airspeed will supply reconfigurable airborne equipment pod to house payloads on Reaper.
The MALE RPA system, including aircraft and Ground Control Stations (GCS), will be provided to the Australian Defence Force.
