Singapore Tests Chinook-Launched Drones

The Republic of Singapore Air Force tested deployment of Class 1 first-person-view drones from CH-47F Chinook helicopters during Exercise Wallaby in Queensland, Australia. Photographs show aircrew releasing a modified drone from the helicopter’s rear ramp and a Special Operations Aviation Task Group operator controlling it through FPV goggles. The drones are intended primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, providing crews with information on areas around the helicopter during missions. The activity expands Singapore’s manned-unmanned teaming trials, although the drone model was not identified and the demonstration did not establish an operational procurement or fleet-wide fielding decision.