Avalon 2009

Visitors to Avalon 2009, the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, saw BAE Systems’ vision of the future capability of autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) on display via its Mantis and HERTI systems.

The event, which ran from Tuesday 10 – Sunday 15 March, was attended by approximately 165,000 people. Around 100 BAE Systems employees from Australia, UK and the USA worked hard to ensure the company's presence was a success.

The BAE Systems chalet, located along the edge of the main runway, hosted key defence and security customers during the trade days (Tuesday – Friday) and was used to reward employees on public days (Saturday and Sunday).

Adjacent to the chalet were full size HERTI and Mantis models, next to a full scale mock up of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter. Mantis and HERTI are next-generation autonomous systems.
 
Inside the exhibition halls, BAE Systems also mounted a 140 square metre display featuring many Australian and global capabilities, including UAS technology.

The public days on the stand had a recruitment focus, with staff receiving several requests for information about career opportunities with BAE Systems.

Flying displays during Avalon included performances by a B1 B bomber, F/A 18 Super Hornets, F/A 18 Hornets, F111 fighter bombers, Blackhawk helicopters and the Hawk Lead-In Fighter.