Sydney companies announce contract to manufacture drone avionics

Carbonix and GPC Electronics Group have entered into a manufacturing contract, which will see GPC contribute avionics, design and testing input for Carbonix’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs.)  

The two Sydney-based companies made the announcement on Thursday morning, calling it “a significant step forward for the sovereign capability of the Australian drone industry” and assisting Carbonix to build scale.

“For us it means having a supply of high quality, consistent, tested avionics on tap and the support to react to supply chain disruptions,” said Carbonix CEO Philip van der Burg.

“Together, we can create a vertically integrated solution that delivers world-class UAVs to customers across a range of industries.”

Carbonix makes composite-bodied UAVs for high-endurance, long-range applications, often in challenging environments, with applications including asset inspection. It was recently awarded approval for flights beyond visual line of sight in Riverstone, NSW by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

GPC was founded in 1985, and employs between 160 and 180 at a factory at western Sydney’s Jamisontown, with other sites in China and New Zealand.

The company’s Business Development Manager RJ Stensland said the news would see GPC expand what it could achieve in drone avionics manufacturing and integration.

“Our collaboration will enable us to leverage our expertise in electronics manufacturing and integration to produce high-quality drones that meet the needs of customers in the aerospace, defence, and other industries,” said Stensland.

Further reading

CARBONIX TO SUPPLY DRONES TO FUGRO

CARBONIX DRONES MONITOR REMOTE POWER LINES

CELEBRATING AUSTRALIAN MADE – GPC ELECTRONICS

Picture: credit Carbonix