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Air · Coverage audit

Oceania defence drone coverage audit

2 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 1 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Scope and evidence

This audit covers the original research register for Oceania defence drone coverage audit. The review below records work completed on 21 September 2026. Resolved means the named research task was addressed, not that every national programme or undisclosed capability is catalogued. Partially resolved topics now have published evidence but retain a narrower question.

Australia — Partially resolved

Corvo PPDS-HL and other distinct Corvo products / Other Australian tactical, interceptor and collaborative-aircraft programmes. Added the distinct Corvo PPDS-HL and OWL-B. Official ASCA and Defence material supports an OWL-B contract and exercise evidence.

New Zealand — Open

Persistent Surveillance Air candidate aircraft / Kea Atmos military relevance, if directly established. A February 2026 MoD information-release response places Persistent Surveillance Air at early information gathering with no decisions. Kea material establishes civil/environmental and maritime research, not a military aircraft selection.

Open research register

These are editorial research tasks, not confirmed capabilities. Remove or revise each row when the evidence has been published.

Australia · Air · High priority

Other Australian interceptor and collaborative configurations

Follow OWL-X/OWL-C from development into documented flight and contracts; distinguish simulation from flight. Audit other Corvo products, FOX/SuperFOX histories and current STRIX configuration evidence without treating electric-prototype flight as demonstrated hybrid endurance.

Research starting point ↗

New Zealand · Air · Medium priority

New Zealand PSA selection and directly evidenced domestic defence aircraft

Wait for a named PSA selection, contract or trial statement and verify platform origin separately. Establish any specific military customer for Kea Atmos before adding defence status; market participation and maritime imagery alone are insufficient.

Research starting point ↗

View the global coverage register →

Publication history

  • — Reviewed every original topic; published supported additions and replaced broad gaps with the remaining evidence questions.
  • — Published a regional country review and editable register of remaining research gaps.

Suggest a correction to this entry →

Follow the evidence

Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.

  1. PPDS-HL manufacturer brochure, version 082023 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme
  2. New Zealand MoD information-release response, 10 February 2026 (opens in a new tab)Government
  3. Corvo product family (opens in a new tab)Primary source
  4. New Zealand MoD: long-range UAS market research (opens in a new tab)Primary source
  5. BAE: demonstrated STRIX prototype configuration (opens in a new tab)Primary source
  6. Kea Aerospace current research programmes (opens in a new tab)Primary source

Explore the connections

Air · Cargo aircraftAustralia

Corvo PPDS-HL

Heavy-lift disposable flying wing for logistics and lightweight sensor missions.

Supplier-reported statusRead
Air · Loitering munitionAustralia

Innovaero OWL-B

Australian electric loitering aircraft under an ASCA delivery-phase contract with official exercise evidence.

Order / production commitmentRead
Editorial review

September 2026 global coverage review

Reviewed all 90 original research topics: 6 resolved, 80 partially resolved and 4 still open. Added 192 sourced system and family profiles across air, land and maritime domains.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read
Air · Drone / systemUnited States / Australia

Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 / 4.8

A tactical reconnaissance family offering conventional fixed-wing and VTOL configurations for land and maritime operations.

Supplier-reported statusRead
Air · Drone / systemAustralia

Corvo PPDS

Australian lightweight expendable logistics aircraft supplied to Ukraine, with a supplier-described reconnaissance adaptation.

In service / use documentedRead
Air · Drone / systemAustralia

Corvo X

Australian small VTOL reconnaissance aircraft selected under the Army’s DEF129 programme, with deliveries reported by the supplier.

Order / production commitmentRead
Air · Drone / systemAustralia

STRIX

Australian tilt-body VTOL demonstrator, with electric prototype flights preceding development of the intended hybrid propulsion system.

Development / trialsRead
Air · Drone / systemAustralia

MQ-28 Ghost Bat

An Australian collaborative aircraft programme with modular mission payloads. A December 2025 government commitment covers six Block 2 aircraft and further Block 3 development.

Order / production commitmentRead
Support systems · Drone / systemAustralia / United States

DroneShield counter-UAS

A counter-drone supplier combining radio-frequency sensing, command software and electronic countermeasures. Its portfolio includes fixed-site and mobile systems, placing it in the protective infrastructure surrounding the aircraft market.

Supplier accountRead