Far North police to get $340,000 military grade drones to help prevent and disrupt crime
A state-of-the-art military drone with a $340,000 price tag will soon be deployed in the sky over Cairns to help police prevent and fight crime.
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A state-of-the-art military-grade drone has been used to track and arrest offenders, as the State Government prepares to launch the aerial program in Cairns from next month.
State of the art military-grade drones will soon be high in Far North skies as Queensland Police employ the technology to assist frontline officers to disrupt and prevent criminal behaviour.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) has announced it is preparing to launch two new high-tech Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in the state’s north as part of ongoing trials.
The advanced Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R70, used by Allied forces in international combat zones, has joined the QPS fleet and is undergoing testing ahead of its deployment to Cairns and Townsville.
The new RPAS will join the other selected aircraft for the trial, the DJI M30 RPAS, which has been assisting officers on the ground in the region.
A fully operational drone which includes all the related supporting technology will cost $340,000 each.
A spokesman from Police Minister Mark Ryan’s office said training of police RPAS pilots in Cairns and Townsville occurred in December 2022, and it is understood advanced training for all Far North drone operators will be held in Townsville at the end of February.
Once this has concluded, the R70 will be available for use in Cairns and Townsville alongside the M30.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the trials of the new RPAS were proving successful.
“We are very pleased to see our aerial capabilities in the north boosted with these high-tech systems,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said.
“The QPS has been successfully using RPAS operationally for many years in specialist units, however, this new high standard and advanced mission capable aircraft takes it to another level.
“It will provide police with enhanced capabilities including higher quality tools and image analytics.”
On December 19, the M30 was used to provide support to police in Townsville following the successful deployment of a tyre deflation device on a stolen vehicle where six occupants fled.
The M30 assisted in the arrest of three offenders involved in alleged property crime and stolen vehicle offences, with the pilot observing and able to relay information to Tactical Crime Squad officers.
“These new “eyes in the sky” have great potential in helping police to keep people safe and we are already seeing that,” Mr Ryan said.
“These aerial assets have enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and advancements like artificial intelligence technologies for tracking vehicles.”
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said “anything extra we can provide the Queensland Police Service with to continue to protect the community is important”.
The use of RPAS in Australia is strictly regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
The QPS is the holder of a Remote Operators Certificate, and all RPAS pilots have a Remote Pilot Licence and receive regular training and testing from the QPS Chief Remote Pilot.
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