The Torch: Afstan: RAAF leases UAVs in cooperation with CF

One wonders if our media will notice, or if our goverment will make any announcement regarding what would seem a nice success for a Canadian company (via an Australian friend of The Torch):

AIR FORCE TO BEGIN OPERATING ITS FIRST UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM

Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Royal Australian Air Force has acquired Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in close collaboration with Canadian Defence forces.

“This high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability will enhance the capability of Australian forces in Afghanistan,” Senator Faulkner said.

The Heron UAV is a one tonne aircraft capable of medium altitude, long endurance flights. Under Project NANKEEN, the Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a contract with Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) to lease Heron UAV services which will provide high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

The Australian Defence Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Forces which already operates Heron UAVs in Afghanistan [more here].

In July 2009 Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel undertook Heron training in Canada. These personnel have now been absorbed within the Canadian Heron UAV Detachment at Kandahar airfield conducting combat operations in support of ISAF [not, one imagines, how our government would put the role of our Herons].

This has meant the ADF has rapidly established its Heron capability by drawing on the Canadians’ operational knowledge, experience and facilities.

“The Australian Government greatly appreciates the assistance of the Canadian Defence Force in this project,” Senator Faulkner said...

Media Note:

Imagery is available at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2009/Sep/20090907/index.htm

A Heron fact sheet is available at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/HeronFactSheet.pdf...