Membership has now increased to nine with the addition of TAE Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Ultra Electronics Australia, Airspeed and Quickstep Holdings.

In September 2015, Defence invested $2.85 million in Ocius Technology to develop the demonstration, under Round 19 of the Defence Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program.

The $5 million polar vehicle is funded by the Australian Government through the Antarctic Gateway Partnership

With small, commercially available drones or UASs featuring high up on the Christmas wish lists last year, it's no wonder that the threat posed by them to security and safety is being taken seriously.