Australian Air Force drone flies in civilian airspace for first time

Australia's air force has remotely piloted a military-grade drone in Australia's civilian airspace for the first time as part of preparations for the joint Australia- United States Talisman Sabre military exercises in July.

Australia currently has two of Israeli-built unmanned aircraft systems, called Heron, which have completed more than 27,000 mission hours in southern Afghanistan, providing real-time surveillance capabilities for Australia's military and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Australia's national broadcaster reported Wednesday.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wing Commander Jonathan McMullan said it was a historic week as it was the first time an unmanned aircraft had flown in Australian civilian airspace without interrupting civilian aircraft.

"Our intent is to integrate, not accommodate... and that allows us to expand our operations outside of defence restricted airspace in Australia and allows us to participate more fully in ADF exercises," McMullan said. "What it will do is allow the army commanders to integrate the heron system into the battlefield to provide enhanced battlefield awareness."

The month-long biennial war-games -- first held in 2005 -- will see up to 30,000 Australian and U.S. military personnel deployed in Australia's north for high end war fighting maneuvers including force preparation, special forces activities as well as land, air and maritime operations. Endi