ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Unmanned Aircraft Technology Applications Research (UATAR™) program began in August 2006 through an internally funded Strategic Industry Development Plan commissioned by V-TOL Aerospace Pty Limited. UATAR™ will endeavour to rally and focus participants to collaborate and solve some of the most fundamental problems for the burgeoning international UAS industry.

The general focus of the program is to bring to bear academic related UAV research (theory) and the end-user (customer) via a capability fusion network (platforms, sensors, data links) to rapidly demonstrate a UAS concept, procedure, technology or application.

In addition, through cooperation and linkages with international organisations focused on UAS technologies and research, we will ensure Australian and New Zealand UAS interests have an input into global issues that affect the Unmanned Systems Industry (USI).

The nucleus of the UATAR™ concept is focused on four critical but individual programs - Research, Demonstration, Education, and Commercialisation. Each program is briefly discussed below.

Research will primarily focus on rapid prototyping and the innovative use and application of UAS existing and/or emerging technologies. Participants will be encouraged and supported through cooperative teaming to develop rapid to market outcomes with the end-user.

The demonstrator program provides 'proof of concept' projects in a short period (about 3 months), typically using COTS technologies, in innovative ways to demonstrate either a capability or new technology. Demonstration activities can range from a single flight, a prescribe mission or a detailed advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) lasting several months. A demonstration activity will generally roll into a commercialisation program for the participants.

The education program will provide educational and training opportunities to people who are, or may become, employed by firms supporting the Unmanned Systems Industry (USI). Projects that offer mutual benefit and supportive training to prepare students for possible USI placements will be strongly encouraged.

The commercialisation program is primarily focused on nurturing new intellectual property, products, concepts, and services to the market. UATAR™ has a clear and defined commercial and IP strategy and will recognise the IP of all individuals and participants in the program. The program manager will discuss with each participant an IP strategy and plan. An IP register will be maintained to manage both party's background and foreground IP.

The primary means for collaboration within the UATAR™ program will be through a network of working groups. Working groups bring together interested individuals, organisations and firms into a central cooperative relationship to develop and work on achieving an identified result. The working group allows for a collective repository of funds, resources and knowledge to ensure the commercial objectives of the working group participants are achieved.

UATAR™ is a 'win-win' for everyone involved. It affords a unique opportunity to showcase and develop existing capabilities with new technologies and to have these demonstrated in 'real world' environments and applications. A number of benefits will flow from the program and include; networking, SME teaming, international linkages to global supply chains, strategic product development, access to university students and experts. And finally, it affords end-users a low risk investment solution into emerging UAS technology.