A drone testing hub is to be established in Cloncurry.

It comes as The Queensland Government awarded a contract to design and construct an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flight test range (FTR) to QinetiQ Australia.

The FTR will be located at Cloncurry Aerodrome.

It will consist of access to a commercial quality runway, dedicated hangar and workshop, range control centre, range control system including a primary surveillance radar and other surveillance and tracking equipment, dedicated airspace and regulatory approvals for UAS FTR operations.

“The Queensland Government had a vision to be a world leader in UAS technologies, said QinetiQ Australia Managing Director Greg Barsby.

“QinetiQ is proud to support this through the creation of the flight test range facility at Cloncurry,” Mr Barsby said.

“Together with our partners, QinetiQ manages some of the world’s most advanced range facilities across the land, maritime and aerospace domains.

“By drawing on our global experience, QinetiQ and our partners will deliver this facility, the largest of its kind in the region. 

The Cloncurry facility would be a critical component in the overall drone ecosystem, as an enabler and connector of high-technology UAS programs and initiatives, said Mr Barsby.

“The initial capability offered by the facility will support all weight classes of UAS for routine flying operations, demonstration activities and test and evaluation trials of moderate complexity,” he said.

“Future phases of development will support the full range of ground and flight test activity, providing an Australian home for the conduct of highly complex developmental test programs.”

The project would provide a key missing element for UAS research and development, said Queensland Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation Kate Jones.

“The Queensland Government was the first in Australia to launch a drone strategy, and now we’re well on the way to becoming the nation’s drone technology capital.”

A leading science, engineering and defence technology company had been appointed to manage the construction of the facility which was expected to be finished later this year, said Ms Jones.