CANBERRA - The Australian Department of Defense announced on October 28 that it plans to retain its two-unit fleet of Heron Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in service for another six years. At an estimated cost of AUD120 million ($106 million) Australia will return one Heron deployed in-theater in Afghanistan to Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley where the unit will help ensure RAAF pilots maintain UAV operational skills while awaiting introduction of the MQ-4C Triton on tap for future procurement. The other unit is already stationed in Australia at the Woomera test range where it is operated as a trainer.
Australia leased its Herons under a September 2009 contract that included support from MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd (MDA). The Herons were leased for use in Australian military operations in Afghanistan, with the first unit deployed to the Afghan theater in January 2010 under Project Nankeen. Under the new lease MDA will continue providing maintenance work and training to the RAAF, which will fund the program from its existing budget.
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