Army Cadets Attend First Ever Military Drone Racing Tournament

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Army Cadets Attend First Ever Military Drone Racing Tournament

A team of Australian Army Cadets recently honed their Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) skills at the inaugural Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT) at Victoria Barracks in Sydney.

The tournament was held immediately prior to, and in support of, the Invictus Games, from 18 to 20 October.
International teams from the UK, US, New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates competed with teams from the Australian Army and Air Force, and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.  While the AAC team was not invited to compete in the international tournament, its three members were able to observe and practise how to assemble, set up, repair and fly drones competitively.

They also had the opportunity to obtain advice and tips from the international competitors, including 19 year old world drone racing champion Thomas Bittmatta.
After watching the final on Saturday 20 October, attended by the Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, the cadets participated in the cadet racing experience, against a team of Air Force Cadets.

“It was really great to get an experience of seeing competitors from around the world”, said Cadet Corporal Rajvir Dhami, of 26 Army Cadet Unit (ACU) Wollongong.
“It’s given us some good ideas about putting drones into cadet training,” Rajvir said. Team leader Lieutenant (AAC) Perry Making, of 25 ACU Erina, thought the cadets’ experience would certainly help to establish an AAC drone racing team that can participate in future competitions. “With the knowledge we gained, we hope to be able to compete in next year’s tournament”, he said.

Australian Army Cadets will be introducing drone flying into the Cadet Activity Program (CAP) in 2019.

The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) provides a personal development program for young people and is conducted by the Australian Army in cooperation with the community and aims to benefit the nation by developing the individual and their communities.

The AAC adopts the values of the Australian Army - Courage, Initiative, Respect and Teamwork - to empower youth to achieve their potential.

There are more than 16,000 Army cadets based in over 220 units around Australia,

Caption: AAC Members with the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable
Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC

Caption: Members of the inaugural Military International Drone Racing Tournament with the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable
Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC

Caption: Members of Australian and international teams practise their drone flying techniques during the tournament at Victoria Barracks. The AAC team members received tips and advice from some of these competitors and their team mates.