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The ASX-listed aerospace company has announced plans to invest in UAS capability via a partnership with a local firm.
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Quickstep Holdings Limited (QHL) has unveiled plans to expand its global military and commercial offering by investing $1 million for a minority stake in Sydney-based unmanned aerial systems (UAS) company Carbonicboats — currently trading as Carbonix.
As part of the agreement, a Quickstep representative will be appointed to the Carbonix board, with the companies also in the process of negotiating a manufacturing agreement.
“This is a great opportunity to combine the skills of two leading Australian aerospace companies, offering structural access to the dynamic and rapidly growing Unmanned Aerial Systems market,” Quickstep CEO Mark Burgess said.
QHL’s recently established Quickstep Advanced Air Mobility (QAAM) division is expected to oversee the expansion over the next 12-18 months.
“Establishing a dedicated vertical ensures we are laser focused on taking advantage of the environment this creates,” Burgess added.
“Quickstep’s global reputation as an aerospace manufacturer and the creation of our Aerospace Services business provides us the foundation to build, operate and maintain drone systems.”
In drive this expansion, Quickstep has appointed Steve Osborne to the role of business leader, QAAM, in addition to his existing role as general manager, group business development.
Osborne’s tasks are expected to include overseeing the planned establishment of an unmanned systems manufacturing centre of excellence at Quickstep’s Waurn Ponds facility in Victoria, supported by investment in engineering and marketing resources.
“Our Waurn Ponds site will be home to QAAM and become our drone manufacturing Centre of Excellence, leveraging our R&D capabilities and university relationships to provide drone companies with manufacturing solutions to aerospace quality at automotive pricing,” Osborne said.
The $1 million investment in Carbonix, arranged through a subsidiary, is expected to be paid in two equal tranches over the first half of the 2022 financial year (FY22), funded by Quickstep’s operating cash flow.
The payments are contingent upon the achievement of two commercial milestones, the first of which has been met.
Quickstep plans to make further announcements about these initiatives in due course.
[Related: Quickstep eyes expansion with proposed strategic alliance]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
