Carbonix partners with Toll to enhance drone operations in Australia

Carbonix has announced a partnership with Toll Uncrewed Systems to enhance drone training and operations in Australia. The collaboration will see Toll Uncrewed Systems taking on the role of primary trainer for Carbonix's drones.

Carbonix, known for its advanced fixed-wing flight platforms that combine vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, provides versatile uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) suitable for various applications. These include rapid aerial surveys, situational awareness data collection, and a range of payload sensors like LiDAR, photogrammetry, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and multi-spectral capabilities. Carbonix recently made headlines when its UAV became the first Australian fixed-wing VTOL drone to complete a fully automated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS) mission, providing critical data for a power network client.

Toll Aviation, which encompasses Toll Uncrewed Systems, offers comprehensive uncrewed and rotary flight operations and training. Serving sectors including Defence, aeromedical, search and rescue, airborne law enforcement, and resource and utility aviation, Toll Aviation's training programmes cater to both individual and corporate needs. Their mission support spans major organisations, enhancing operations and delivering critical services.

Carbonix CEO, Philip van der Burg, expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting the mutual benefits it brings. "We are delighted to form a partnership with Toll Uncrewed Systems, whose expertise in training and operations will broaden our own future growth and development," van der Burg stated. He underscored the versatility of Carbonix drones, which are utilised globally across commercial, military, firefighting, and ISR operations. According to van der Burg, the collaboration will enable Carbonix to scale its core business of developing high-performance drone platforms and equipping them with cutting-edge sensors, thereby enhancing long-range operations and ensuring access to world-class training.

Wayne Condon, Chief Pilot at Toll Uncrewed Systems, also emphasised the strategic value of this local collaboration. "An official partnership with Carbonix is an alignment with our own values supporting sovereign entities in the uncrewed world. Our experienced trainers are excited about the opportunity to work with an Australian-based manufacturer and match these sophisticated platforms with Australian training excellence," said Condon.

The partnership is expected to generate significant synergies for both companies. For Carbonix, it means leveraging Toll's extensive training and operational expertise to expand its UAV services. This collaboration also aims to contribute to Australia's STEM and knowledge economy. Van der Burg highlighted that every component in Carbonix's long-range VTOL drones exemplifies Australian-made excellence. This underscores the company's commitment to supporting local industries and producing technology that garners export revenue while bolstering Australia's technical skill base.

The linkage between Carbonix and Toll Uncrewed Systems represents a critical step in advancing the capabilities and operational readiness of uncrewed aerial systems in Australia. It paves the way for enhanced data acquisition across various sectors, providing a robust foundation for future innovations in drone technology and applications.

The collaboration is set to bring significant benefits, integrating Carbonix's innovative UAV platforms with Toll's operational and training expertise, thus establishing a comprehensive ecosystem for uncrewed aerial systems in Australia.