Australia has launched a national UAV technology demonstration program as a means of expanding domestic aerospace industry capabilities. The technology demonstration is currently targeting development of a small to medium concept UAV in the 100-150 kilogram range over a three-year period. Funding for the initiative is to be raised by linking a multitude of Australian Federal and state government grants schemes. However, if insufficient resources are garnered, the fall back plan is to foster a variety of UAV-related technologies to improve Australian industry capability and competitiveness in this sector. The project is being coordinated by the Federal Department of Industry, Tourism, and Resources (DITR) as part of a new nation Aerospace Industry Action Agenda released by the Australian Government in March. According to David Mitchell, UAV development program manag at DITR, the initiative is intended to "promote the research and development, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities" of the Australian aerospace industry.
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