New deal set to triple local drone production

Local drone manufacturer Carbonix will triple production over the next year, thanks to a new contract with composites manufacturing and technology developer Quickstep Holdings.

Under the $2.3m, 12-month contract, Quickstep will manufacture 40 of Carbonix’s latest long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Carbonix CEO Philip van der Burg said Quickstep’s manufacturing processes and quality management systems deliver the high levels of quality assurance Carbonix customers expect, while allowing the company to scale production to meet local and overseas demand.

“We understand the critical role that quality assurance plays in delivering the highest level of performance to our customers. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with a company that shares our commitment to excellence, and whose advanced processes and quality management systems will help us raise the bar even higher,” he said.

Quickstep Managing Director Mark Burgess said the company anticipated demand for the aircraft to significantly exceed initial production volumes.

“Our engineering-led industrial solutions have great traction with drone companies and we are delighted to be supporting Carbonix as they increase their market penetration in Australia and the USA,” he said.

Quickstep delivers advanced composite solutions to the global aerospace and defence sectors, including many of the world’s aircraft manufacturers. The deal is the second stage of a broader manufacturing partnership, announced late last year, which will eventually see Quickstep manufacture all Carbonix drones.

Image: The Carbonix 3 — the current version of the Carbonix Next Generation UAV.