Shoalhaven selected as site for ‘copter manufacturing

Three SMEs and aerospace and defence company Raytheon Australia will manufacture a rotary wing unmanned aerial system in the Shoalhaven should the group will an army contract.

With ten SMEs involved in the overall bid to provide the UAS, based on Schiebel Pacific Limited’s CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS (pictured), three will be involved in manufacturing and sustainment.

Schiebel Pacific Limited, Air Affairs Australia and Innovation Composites along with Raytheon propose an Asia Pacific manufacturing hub with $50 million injected into the local Shoalhaven economy over the life of the programme.

Raytheon Australia has had a long-standing presence in Shoalhaven and approximately 20 new roles will be dedicated to the manufacture and sustainment of the S-100 UAS.

Raytheon Australia managing director Michael Ward said: “The development of this regional UAS sustainment hub will generate even more growth and jobs for the Shoalhaven region.

“We will work with local suppliers to foster genuine Australian industrial sovereignty, prioritising Defence’s operational needs.”

Picture: Schiebel Pacific

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