In an Australian first, a locally-made aircraft took to the skies from the Common User Facility to demonstrate the latest capabilities in surveillance technology.
Developed by Bibra Lake-based Cyber Technology, the Cyber Eye 2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a remotely piloted aircraft that integrates a collection of WAdesigned surveillance technology.
Cyber Eye 2, also described as an eye in the sky, is ideal for a number of commercial applications including border protection, surveillance of illegal fishing, people smuggling, drug trafficking and bush fires, search and rescue and environmental pollution identification.
UAVs or drones, are remotely piloted aircrafts that are typically controlled from a remote location or pre-programmed to fly autonomously. The Cyber Eye 2 has a seven metre wing span, can fly at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and has 10 hours of flight time.
Operational Solutions Management BronzeSky Director Eric Pearson said he brought the technologies together to showcase WA’s technical expertise to the rest of the world.
“The Cyber Eye 2 UAV has been designed to incorporate a number of practical applications that have been created in Australia,” Mr Pearson said.
“The current financial crisis had made it difficult to capture separate markets for the technologies, so when the idea to pair the technologies with the UAV was presented, it opened up more opportunities.”
The demonstration featured several very different scenarios to display the aircraft’s versatility on its first mission over Rottnest Island and Fremantle.
One of the technologies on display, with particular relevance to the marine industry, was the Mobilarm V100 VPIRB or Man Over Board system. Once activated, Mobilarm transmits a mayday distress alert and real-time GPS position of the person in the water to all VHF marine radios within range for the quickest rescue possible.
Mr Pearson said international and local demand for the aircrafts had been strong. “Malaysia and Thailand have both bought three of the aircraft and at least 20 orders have been received from other countries since the Cyber Eye’s debut,” he said. “The current economic climate favours the collaborative approach we’ve taken in developing the Cyber Eye.”
Cyber Eye 2 was developed by Operational Solutions Management, Cyber Technology, Tactronics Australasia, ETCORP, Mobilarm and BronzeSky.
Australian Marine Complex EDITION 10 – October 2009