Advanced Systems Australis  Pty Ltd is a medium-sized Australian technology company specializing in the research and development of small, unmanned aircraft systems, imaging devices, and embedded control software. ASA has traditionally focussed its products on non-military applications and this is not likely to change in the near future. For instance, its Heat Seeker SUAS uses thermal imagers to detect bushfires in national parks, and its Bug Eater SUAS employs conventional cameras and onboard storage tanks to spray agricultural crops with pesticides.

Both are controlled remotely by a remote pilot. One area that ASA has not gained entry to yet is the mining industry market, which represents a significant source of potential profit due to the size of operations within Australia, and perhaps the potential for an overseas market.

To break into the mining industry market, ASA recently obtained AUD$15 million of funding from the Australian Government Mining Innovation Hub, the Australian Government’s flagship Mining innovation program, for the development of a new SUAS to fill a recently identified capability gap. ASA’s new “Mining Mate” SUAS will be a mining site support system that will be able to provide situational awareness, support mining equipment/ infrastructure damage assessment, and deliver payloads to units in the mine site.

ASA recognizes the potential of this system for other organizations and intends to sell the MM-SUAS more widely within Australia and overseas after their initial purchase of 10 systems in 24 months’ time. It is possible that Defence may be interested in a similar system to help provide medical support on the battlefield – this would be a significant advantage if it is realized.

The MM-SUAS is important because it has the potential to save lives in two key ways. Firstly, by utilizing unmanned systems to provide surveillance and mining site situational awareness in environments in which risks and threats exist, there will no longer be a need for humans to take on substantial risk when conducting mine site checks/surveillance activities either on foot, whilst in vehicles, or in manned aircraft.

Secondly, by being able to rapidly deliver medical/first aid supplies, food, pyrotechnics, or spare parts, the MM-SUAS is able to contribute to the preservation of life or equipment in scenarios where human support is not feasible, not timely, or presents a significant danger to human lives.