Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Australia Flies First Large Drone in Unrestricted Airspace
The Royal Australian Air Force started flying the IAI Heron at Rockhampton Airport in advance of a joint training exercise with U.S. military.
A Royal Australian Air Force Heron unmanned aircraft parked at Woomera Range Complex. (Photo: Australia Department of Defence)
A Royal Australian Air Force Heron unmanned aircraft parked at Woomera Range Complex. (Photo: Australia Department of Defence)

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for the first time started flying a large unmanned aircraft system (UAS) outside restricted military airspace this week. The service is flying the Israeli-made Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS from Rockhampton Airport along Australia’s eastern seaboard as part of Talisman Sabre 2015, a biennial joint training exercise with the U.S. military.