Sphere Drones has been awarded a major tender with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to supply its HubX drone-in-a-box systems under the NSW Government's $1.89 million Natural Hazards Technology Program. This comes shortly after Sphere Drones' recent success with the Western Australian Police Force's (WAPOL) Drones as First Responder (DFR) program, further establishing the company as a key player in cutting-edge drone technology for public safety and environmental management nationwide.
HubX provides a fully integrated, off-grid, turn-key solution designed for remote operations. Mounted on a 4WD-capable trailer. HubX is engineered for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, enabling seamless drone deployments in rugged and remote areas. Initial deployments will take place across key national park locations, including Yirraldiya Park, Tugalong, Nattai, Yathong, and Kosciuszko National Parks. These deployments will allow NPWS to monitor critical areas from a central control centre, significantly enhancing their ability to manage natural hazards, preserve biodiversity, and protect feral-free zones.
Sphere Drones has worked in close consultation with NPWS and Gareth Pickford, their Chief Remote Pilot (CRP), to fully understand the extent of their BVLOS approvals and applications. NPWS is progressing well through the approval process and is expected to complete these requirements soon.
Paris Cockinos, CEO of Sphere Drones, said: "We're proud to partner with NPWS to safeguard some of the most ecologically important regions in New South Wales. HubX's innovative technology will allow NPWS to deploy drones quickly in remote areas, boosting their capability to monitor high-risk zones, prevent bushfires, and conserve endangered wildlife. Following our success with WA Police, this win reinforces our commitment to providing practical, impactful solutions for public safety and environmental conservation across Australia."
Alongside NPWS, Sphere Drones will closely collaborate with Forestry Corporation NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority to further extend the capabilities of the Natural Hazards Technology Program, ensuring that the HubX system is deployed effectively across various sectors. This holistic approach will enhance the overall impact on public safety and environmental protection.
The HubX system will offer NPWS several operational benefits, including:
Faster response times to natural hazards like bushfires through real-time aerial monitoring from remote command centres.
Enhanced conservation efforts by equipping NPWS with advanced tools to help safeguard biodiversity.
Improved operational efficiency in remote and rugged areas, allowing NPWS to monitor vast landscapes with fewer resources.
This win builds on Sphere Drones' growing reputation, following its recent success with the WA Police Force's Drones as First Responder (DFR) program. These consecutive wins highlight Sphere Drones' capacity to deliver innovative drone solutions that enhance public safety, operational efficiency, and environmental management for government organisations across Australia.
The NSW Natural Hazards Technology Program runs from January 2024 to June 2025 and includes a 12-month pilot phase, during which HubX will be tested in real-world conditions to further strengthen NPWS's hazard management capabilities.
