The sky’s the limit for Avalon

After four years the show returned to Avalon and the massive turnout of exhibitors, trade, media and, during the weekend show goers, proves it’s a drawcard event.

There was no doubt that the Avalon Airshow was on; telling signs were everywhere – the traffic jam on the Geelong freeway, the sounds of jets flying overhead, the raft of international visitors to Melbourne and of course, ministers of every denomination –Labor, Liberal, State and Federal.

It was no wonder since it had been four years since the last show was held with Covid interrupting what is by far the biggest air show in the southern hemisphere.

The show had been moved from its original venue at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Richmond, New South Wales to Victoria in 1992 and then attended by 175,000 visitors.

Back in 2019 it attracted around 40,000 industry professionals with 698 participating companies. This year the show was bound to break records as it was a long time between flights.

For the first time all exhibition space was sold out with 798 exhibitors, which was a 14 percent increase over the 2019 show and there were 50 percent more industry, government, defence and scientific delegations.

As well as the exhibitions there was a program of around 59 conferences and for the first time the Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles display team arrived, what did not arrive was China or Russia with both nations excluded from the event.

Not only is this event an important economic driver for the region, generating millions of dollars in economic activity and creating jobs it is also a platform for displaying and launching products and BAE was on top of that pyramid with the unveiling of its STRIX and RAZOR.

Strix

Systems Australia teamed with local industry to present Australia’s first domestically designed, manufactured and armed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Uncrewed Air System (UAS). STRIXTM is being developed by BAE Systems Australia and Perthbased Innovaero and launched at the 2023 Avalon Airshow in Geelong, Australia. The collaboration brings together BAE Systems’ global expertise in autonomous platforms and its vehicle management system (VMS) technology with Innovaero’s knowledge of aeronautical product design and manufacture in the Australian market.

A hybrid, tandem wing, multi-domain and multi-role UAS capability, STRIX could be used for a variety of missions including air to ground strike against hostile targets and persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). It could also act as a ‘loyal wingman’ for military helicopters.

Designed to carry up to a 160kg payload over 800km, STRIX will be capable of operating in high-risk environments. With a collapsed footprint of 2.6m x 4.5m, it could be easily transported. Its VTOL capability means STRIX could be used without relying on an airfield. It could also be operated from a helicopter to expand the mission set and protect aircrew in high-threat environments.