News

Australia scoping deployment of upgraded Skylark 1s

February 04, 2009

Australia is looking at a potential redeployment of its Elbit Skylark 1 unmanned air systems to Afghanistan after withdrawing the type from all operational roles last year to enable stepped up training of operators.

The new deployment would use the digital version of Skylark 1, with the Australian army replacing its entire fleet of aircraft during the course of 2008 with the new model to overcome problems of link loss during deployments. Australia is also currently implementing modifications to the datalink frequency for the system to ensure no recurring problems.

Elbit was awarded an $A484,083.00 upgrade contract 11 December 2008 to implement the frequency upgrade, with this scheduled to complete by 30 June this year. A separate spares contract worth $A47,468.00 was awarded 21 January.

Australia has used Skylark on operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor, with the type first introduced into service in 2005 via a rapid acquisition project.

The proposed new operational redeployment of Skylark would form part of an expanded Australian military contingent in Afghanistan with a government decisions anticipated in short months.

Australia has spent a total of $A1.845 million operating and upgrading Skylark since September 2007, with this dominated by multiples spares buys totalling $A1.198 million. Those support awards included supply of new wrist mounted viewing terminals.

An $A115,707.17 contract to provide training in the operation of new digital model aircraft was awarded in February 2008.

By Peter La Franchi - Asia-Pacific Editor