Launching the Shadow 200 UAV

Skip ahead to 1:29 for the launch. Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced on 17 December 2012 that a $7.2 million five-year contract to provide Australia-based training for the operators and maintainers of the Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System had been awarded. Each Shadow 200 system comprises five aircraft, ground control stations, a launch and recovery element, and associated equipment, logistics and training. Australia acquired two Shadow 200 systems through Joint Project 129 (Phase 2) at a total cost of over $90 million. The first began operations in Afghanistan earlier this year, providing enhanced intelligence capability to the International Security Assistance Force. Shadow 200 captures full-motion video during day and night operations, which can be sent back to a ground control station up to 125km away. It can recognise targets on the ground while operating at an altitude of up to 8000 feet.