Carbonix signs on ArgenTech for tilt at US market

The two companies have signed a master service agreement which will allow ArgenTech Solutions to provide flight operations, maintenance, and pilot training using vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and uncrewed aerial systems made by Carbonix.

The high-performance, long-endurance uncrewed aerial vehicles can be used in linear infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and defence industries.

Carbonix chief executive officer Philip van der Burg said the partnership will enable Carbonix VTOL aircraft to be operated and supported across various commercial, non-government organisations and governmental customers missions in the US.

“Expanding further into the US is a logical next step for Carbonix, allowing us to bring our Australian experience and capabilities into a large and fast-growing market,” he said.

“ArgenTech’s operational expertise is highly regarded in the industry, with a heritage in flying complex military missions.

“Partnering with ArgenTech will enable us to service the demand for our UAS and systematically drive our Customer Success Program, leveraging the expertise of both our companies in providing our customers with the best outcomes.”

Carbonix recently received Beyond Visual Line of Sight approval in Greater Sydney as it continues BVLoS testing and missions with surveying LiDAR scanners and photogrammetry camera payloads.

The company has also scaled up production after inking a deal with aerospace manufacturer Quickstep and GPC last month, as well as partnering with a range of organisations to support their aerial surveying programs including SA Power Networks, the ACT Rural Fire Service, and geo-data specialist, Fugro.

ArgenTech chief executive officer Brian Veroneau said the partnership with Carbonix, and the strength of their systems, is advantageous in expanding ArgenTech’s capabilities throughout the Americas.

“ArgenTech Solutions’ entry into the commercial market leverages being a UAV subcontractor to Boeing Insitu, where our staff are embedded with the troops flying missions for US DOD, NATO, and foreign military customers,” he said.

“We are deeply familiar with the regimen of military operations, and we’ve developed an expertise in precision operations, procedures, and process management.

“As we grow ArgenTech’s commercial business, we have expanded our worldwide capabilities and services to include wildfire monitoring for the US Bureau of Land Management, training, and subject matter expertise for commercial systems.”