Quickstep moves into unmanned systems

Leading aerospace composites manufacturer Quickstep has made a move into the drone sector through an investment in unmanned aerial system (UAV) designer and manufacturer Carbonix.

The Sydney company has taken an unspecified minority stake in Carbonix which makes the all-electric, fixed wing Volanti drone (pictured) and the Domani VTOL Power Lift drone.

The two companies are planning a manufacturing agreement which may see Quickstep supplying composite components to support planned manufacturing volume growth.

Quickstep CEO Mark Burgess also announced the company has established Quickstep Advanced Air Mobility (QAAM) with group business BDM Steve Osborne as its head.

Burgess said: “The Commonwealth Government’s National Emerging Aviation Technologies Policy will support national AAM growth.

“Establishing a dedicated vertical ensures we are laser focused on taking advantage of the environment this creates.”

Quickstep will base QAAM at its Waurn Ponds, Geelong facility which is part of the region’s Advanced Fibre Cluster would be the home of QAAM.

Its aim will be to provide drone companies with manufacturing solutions at aerospace quality and automotive pricing, according to the company.

The move to establish a new business vertical follows Quickstep’s recent purchase of Boeing’s aerospace MRO business at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport.

As well as manufacturing, Carbonix also providers data/drone as a service (DaaS) capabilities.

Picture: Carbonix/Volanti drone

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