Local plane spotter Kayanne H captured the moment as A45-253 took to the air from Rockhampton Airport for a brief flight into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).
A45-253 returned to Rockhampton Airport just over an hour later.
The Heron UAV - which is flown by qualified pilots from a ground control station - provides RAAF commanders with real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information in the field. It is operated by No. 5 Flight as a part of No. 92 Wing. The flight is responsible for operating the RAAF's small fleet of four IAI Herons out of Woomera in South Australia.
A45-253 was heard to use the radio callsign of "Unmanned Bluey 70" during its morning flight.
It is believed that there was another flight by a Heron later on Monday, with (I'm told) more flights planned for later this week.
Sincere thanks to Kayanne for her continuing coverage of the fantastic action at Rockhampton Airport!
All photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman ©
Hewre's a glimpsed of one of the latest pieces of technology available to our military.The unmanned drone has been zapping around the Rockhampton for days - presumably as part of 'War Games' with the Yanks.
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