Concept study for AMSA for a Precision Aerial Delivery System

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) currently has four Bombardier Challenger 604 jet aircraft for search and rescue, based out of Perth, Melbourne and Cairns. These aircraft have been modified and fitted with new generation sensors, high vision windows and air operable doors for aerial delivery of life saving equipment.

Earlier this year, AMSA commissioned our team to conduct a concept study to inform them about the existing technical solutions and options for research investment in a Precision Aerial Delivery System (PADS) for survival aids, which has multiple applications in land and water, such as providing assistance to vessels in distress.

“As part of the study we considered automated systems based on unmanned rotorcraft, fixed-wing aircraft and parachutes. The key requirements for the aircraft were: (1) low-cost and disposable, (2) payload capacity sufficient to deliver a small life raft, (3) suitable for release at high speed from AMSA’s Challenger jets through the cargo door, (4) capable of safe deliveries close to victims. The study concluded that there were no feasible commercial off-the-shelf solutions and we provided recommendations to AMSA for the development of a prototype system”, says the project leader, Dr Torsten Merz.

CSIRO’s R&D on automated delivery systems of survival aids helps to increase effectiveness and efficiency of maritime rescue operations. This project builds on our expertise, and that of our collaboration partner, QUT, in aerospace automation.

More so, this consultative engagement presents an opportunity for us to extend our expertise with different types of aircraft and aircraft systems.

We look forward to the next steps of this work.

9 News covering the acquisition of the new fleet of Bombardier jets in 2017.