New Zealand Army pursues FPV UAV training with Australian support
A New Zealand Army soldier operates a first-person view (FPV) UAV during training. (New Zealand Defence Force)
The New Zealand Army is training in first-person view (FPV) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations as part of broader efforts to strengthen unmanned warfare capabilities.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said on 17 August that the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) is conducting a three-week FPV course with support from Australian Army instructors. The course is based on training delivered by the Australian Army's Land Combat College.
This course provides qualified UAV operators with instruction on emerging UAV platforms, including their operation, maintenance, and employment. Personnel are also trained to assemble UAVs, manufacture components using 3D printing, and integrate fibre-optic control systems.
During the course, soldiers develop mission plans, conduct operational briefings, and employ the UAVs in realistic tactical scenarios, primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The UAVs are equipped with electro-optical and thermal imaging sensors for day- and night-time operations. According to the NZDF, the platforms can also be configured to carry explosive payloads for strike missions, although the UAVs being used during the course are not equipped in this manner.
A video released by the NZDF showed soldiers employing an FPV UAV in a simulated close-quarters battle environment. In the demonstration, the UAV was flown into a ground-level shipping container to inspect for potential threats before soldiers entered the structure.
Lieutenant Colonel Mateparae, commanding officer of RNZIR's 2nd/1st Battalion, said, “The course provides soldiers with a broad understanding of emerging [UAV] technologies and how they are employed in modern military operations. Building our own [UAV] and 3D printing parts is pretty innovative but also enables effective training in a very cheap and realistic way.”
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