The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has marked a significant milestone in maritime innovation with the successful first-of-class trials of the Edge 130 tri-copter drone on the evolved Cape-class patrol vessel HMAS Cape Pillar.
Conducted throughout September in Darwin Harbour and surrounding littoral zones, the trials represent a leap forward in the operational capability of minor war vessels.
The Edge 130 drone weighs 1.2 kilograms, and its modular design supports a range of optics and sensors. The lightweight lithium-ion batteries can be swapped in seconds, minimising downtime and maximising patrol efficiency, according to the navy.
Commanding Officer Cape Pillar Lieutenant Commander Ben Couch led the integration effort, supported by drone pilots Petty Officer Russel ‘Rusty’ Lamont and Able Seaman Janu Phillips .
The trials began with remote pilot training and onboard materiel integration, followed by the development of standard operating procedures and rigorous alongside testing at HMAS Coonawarra.
The trials were supported by naval aviation experts from the Maritime Warfare Centre. Flying under Flag Foxtrot, meaning Cape Pillar is operating fixed-wing aircraft, the drones conducted successful sorties over complex terrain, including mangroves and shallow waters where traditional patrol methods pose risks to personnel and vessels.
“The Edge 130 drones allow us to exploit the air domain in ways previously unavailable to minor war vessels. This capability enhances our ability to patrol Australia’s northern approaches with greater safety, speed and precision,” Couch noted.
The successful integration of the Edge 130 drones sets a new benchmark for uncrewed systems in the Navy and lays the foundation for future drone operations across the fleet.
Since their introduction into service, the uncrewed aerial systems have been deployed on board Cape Pillar to support Joint Task Force 639.
To remind, the vessel, built by Austal Australia, was delivered to the Australian Navy in October 2023.