7 August 2023
ADF drone racing took centre stage at the 2023 Science Alive! Expo in Adelaide.
Now in its 18th year, the event continues to attract huge crowds, with more than 20,000 visitors making their way through the gates this year.
The Air Force and Army Drone Racing Teams were a huge crowd pleaser at the three-day event, giving exciting demonstrations of drone racing, flying on simulators, mini-whoop drones in the net and a display of military capability with the Black Hornet and Wasp.
Captain of the Australian Army Drone Racing Team, Sapper Alex Brown, described the event as a fantastic opportunity to give budding racers an insight into coding, robotics and STEM-related skills.
“We were able to demonstrate the Black Hornet and drone racing on the simulators, which provides a great opportunity to speak to people about drones and the opportunities available in the science and technology streams within Defence,” Sapper Brown said.
President ADF Drone Racing Association Wing Commander Keirin Joyce said engagement opportunities such as Science Alive! were pivotal to increasing awareness and interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – including drones and drone racing.
“With Science Week just around the corner, the Drone Racing Team being at Science Alive! Adelaide was a valuable opportunity for Defence to engage with our youth. These kids are growing up in a world where drones and unmanned aerial systems technology are all around them and they are fascinated by it,” Wing Commander Joyce said.
“Wherever we go, the Drone Racing Team tries to engage as many young people as we can to show them how much fun there is in drone racing and the huge potential in the future within the STEM fields.”
Drone racing is rapidly emerging as a growing sport, largely due to its accessibility and low-cost of equipment and first person 'pilot' view of the race action.
Drone racing was recently accredited as the ADF’s 31st sporting association and is involved in activities both within and outside of Defence to promote and encourage involvement in the popular sport.
For more information, visit the Army Drone Racing Facebook page or email adra.secretary@defence.gov.au
