Northrop Grumman has announced it will sponsor the 2014 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Outback Challenge competition. 

The challenge is held near Kingaroy in Queensland, and requires students to design, build and fly a UAV capable of conducting search and rescue operations or delivering life-saving supplies to a fictitious lost or injured individual, known as Outback Joe. 

As part of its support, Northrop Grumman will also continue its partnership with Canberra’s Dickson College to mentor students in developing their own UAV to participate in the competition. 

“Australia is a country of innovators and we see UAV applications in areas of environmental monitoring, humanitarian relief, search and rescue and disaster relief operation, not just defence,” Ian Irving, CEO of Northrop Grumman Australia said in a statement. “By sponsoring and mentoring our youth in better understanding UAV technologies, we’re helping motivate them to be the country’s future engineers, scientists and technicians.” 

Kerrie Heath, principal of Dickson College added; “We are delighted to have the ongoing support of Northrop Grumman through a formal partnership with the College. Industry Education Partnerships are very important as they enable us to provide hands-on and cutting-edge programs with access to industry mentors.” 

The UAV Outback Challenge is a joint government, industry and research organisation initiative between the Queensland government, the Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation, Aviation Development Australia and the Associations for Unmanned Vehicle Systems Australia.