Thales Australia and Swinburne to advance next generation air mobility systems

Thales Australia and Swinburne to advance next generation air mobility systems
by Staff Writers
Melbourne, Australia (SPX) Mar 06, 2023

Swinburne University of Technology's Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) and Thales Australia will explore the development of new operational concepts, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) for next generation aerostructures, as part of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announced Friday.

The recently signed MOU will expand Swinburne's existing partnership with Thales to advance research and development opportunities.

This will focus on:

+ Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) to support regional cargo delivery and critical infrastructure inspections

+ Urban Air Mobility including Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL)

Concept of Operations for urban vertiports
Integration for traditional Air Traffic Management (ATM) and new concepts of operation for Unmanned Air Traffic Management (UTM)

The partnership will also research and develop how ATM systems need to tailor their approach to integrate UTM, while ensuring compatibility and interoperability.

Swinburne University of Technology's AIR Hub is an advanced development collaboration between industry and research. The AIR Hub leverages state of the art facilities, expert teams, a network of industry partners and cutting-edge research to advance the next generation of air mobility.

The AIR Hub's world-class expertise in digitalisation, intelligent manufacturing processes, advanced composite materials and advanced air operations are propelling Australia's competitiveness in the global aerospace industry, with a focus on aerostructures and aircraft development and manufacturing.

A world leader in ATM and UTM systems for over 50 years, Thales Australia will leverage its global experience to advance these new aviation operational concepts, facilitating the development of the local skills required to sustainably support the implementation of new cutting-edge technologies. This will ensure that the workforce and associated SMEs are ready for the new world of aviation, with the view that Australia can become one of the leaders in the domain.

Quotes attributed to Dr Adriano Di Pietro, Director, Swinburne University of Technology's AIR Hub: "Swinburne's AIR Hub is delighted to be extending our partnership with global leader Thales to drive the development of next generation aerostructures and air operations right here in Australia.

"Future autonomy and UTM will play an important role in the development of AAM. By working collaboratively, Thales and the AIR Hub will undertake concurrent development, feeding data and findings between aircraft and aerostructures development and the sensory and control systems that will be installed into autonomous aircraft."

Quotes attributed to Grant Williams, Technical Director, Thales Australia and New Zealand: "Thales's collaboration with Swinburne's AIR Hub is a natural extension to the extensive research and development Thales has achieved globally in advanced air traffic management systems.

"As a world leader in this space, we are able to leverage the extensive knowledge, skills and expertise we have around the world that has application in emerging opportunities and challenges in the UTM domain. This will bring a complete perspective to new modes of operation of ATM and UTM and their future integration."