Where Industry, Security & Defence Converge to Shape the Future of Flight
May 26, 2026
| Canberra, Australia
NextGen Flight: UAV & Drone Summit ANZ
Above & Beyond: Strategy, Scale & Sovereignty
8:30 - 9:00
Morning Registration and Networking
9:00 - 9:10
Chairperson's Opening Remarks
9:10 - 9:40
Panel Discussion: Strategy, Scale & Sovereignty – Building ANZ’s UAV Leadership
Paul Daly -
Superintendent I Police Air Wing,
Western Australia Police Force
- Hearing from leaders across defence, emergency, and industry on what’s driving UAV adoption right now.
- Scaling operations from trials to enterprise-level and mission-ready deployments.
- Overcoming barriers in regulation, integration, and workforce readiness that slow capability growth.
- Aligning priorities across sectors to strengthen sovereign capability and shared infrastructure.
9:40 - 10:10
Autonomy, AI & Airspace – The Future of Unmanned Systems in ANZ
- Harnessing autonomy to improve mission speed, safety, and scalability.
- Applying AI for precision navigation, decision-making, and fleet coordination
- Managing airspace to balance innovation with operational safety.
- Advancing collaboration between technologists, regulators, and operators.
10:10 - 10:30
Speed Networking Session
Fast-track new connections in this high-energy session linking UAV, defence, emergency, and industry leaders driving adoption, collaboration, and innovation.
10:30 - 11:00
UAVs in Action – Lessons from Australia’s Recent Emergencies
Daniel Austin -
Deputy Commissioner,
NSW State Emergency Service (SES)
Brett Hagan - Chief Superintendent Manager Operational Field Support, NSW Rural Fire Service
- Deploying rapidly to deliver critical intelligence in time-sensitive environments
- Learning from experience across bushfires, floods, and search-and-rescue operations.
- Integrating systems for air-ground coordination and inter-agency visibility.
- Scaling readiness through shared training, protocols, and asset planning.
11:00 - 11:30
Morning Break & Demo Zone
Step out of the conference room and into the action - connect with peers, explore the latest UAV and drone innovations, and experience live demonstrations from leading solution providers shaping the future of aerial capability, safety, and operations across Australia and New Zealand.
Interactive Discussion Groups – Exclusive to Next Gen Flight
IDG A: From Pilot to Program: Operationalising UAVs at Scale
11:30 - 13:10 IDG A: From Pilot to Program: Operationalising UAVs at ScaleHow are organisations moving beyond trials to embed drones into core operations - and what’s needed to make UAVs business-as-usual across sectors?
IDG B: Counter-Drone Readiness: Protecting Assets, People & Airspace
11:30 - 13:10 IDG B: Counter-Drone Readiness: Protecting Assets, People & AirspaceWhat strategies and technologies are emerging to detect, deter, and defend against unauthorised UAVs across civilian and defence environments?What strategies and technologies are emerging to detect, deter, and defend against unauthorised UAVs across civilian and defence environments?
IDG C: Data from the Sky: Turning UAV Intelligence into Action
11:30 - 13:10 IDG C: Data from the Sky: Turning UAV Intelligence into ActionAs drones generate vast amounts of data, how can enterprises and agencies integrate, analyse, and secure that intelligence to drive real-time decision-making?
IDG D: AI, Autonomy & Emerging Tech: The Next Evolution of UAVs
11:30 - 13:10 IDG D: AI, Autonomy & Emerging Tech: The Next Evolution of UAVsWhat’s next in autonomous flight, swarm coordination, and AI-enabled mission planning - and how do we ensure responsible, effective deployment?
IDG E: Building the Future Workforce: Skills, Training & Safety Readiness
11:30 - 13:10 IDG E: Building the Future Workforce: Skills, Training & Safety ReadinessWhat training models and operational standards are needed to grow the next generation of UAV pilots, analysts, and maintainers safely and at scale?
IDG F: Integrating Airspace: BVLOS, Regulation & Safety in the Sky
11:30 - 13:10 IDG F: Integrating Airspace: BVLOS, Regulation & Safety in the SkyWith BVLOS operations expanding, how can regulators, operators, and innovators align on frameworks that enable growth without compromising control?
Real conversations. Real challenges. Real solutions.
Our Interactive Discussion Groups (IDGs) give delegates fast-paced, expert-led, and peer-powered conversations that cut through the noise.
Across three 30-minute rotations, you’ll deep-dive into the UAV and drone challenges that matter most — guided by leading solution experts and joined by senior leaders from defence, emergency services, and industry.
No slides. No sales pitches. Just real-world insights, practical strategies, and actionable takeaways you can apply immediately.
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch Break, Demo Zone Open & VIP Hosted Lunches
Join us in the expo hall to connect with peers, explore cutting-edge UAV solutions, and experience live demonstrations in the Demo Zone. For invited guests, the VIP Networking Lunch offers an exclusive setting to engage directly with senior leaders across industry, emergency services, and defence.
Breakouts
Track A: Mission Ready: UAVs for Defence, Security and Emergency
14:10 - 14:35 Spotlight Session: Emergency Services & Public Safety – Enabling Safe, Scalable UAV Operations Paul Hibberd - National Manager, Emerging Technologies and Regulatory Change, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)How CASA is evolving operational standards and regulatory frameworks to support the real-world deployment of UAVs across emergency response and public safety operations.
- Standardising operations to enable consistent, safe UAV use across fire, police, SES, and border agencies.
- Enabling rapid deployment by aligning rules and approvals with the realities of time-critical emergency operations.
- Managing shared airspace to support simultaneous crewed and uncrewed aircraft in complex response environments.
- Building operational assurance through clear standards for training, procedures, and ongoing compliance.
Paul Hibberd
National Manager, Emerging Technologies and Regulatory ChangeCivil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
Exploring how UAVs are reshaping defence and public safety operations—strengthening sovereign capability, securing national airspace, and transforming disaster response, border protection, and community safety through real-time intelligence and rapid deployment.
Track A: Mission Ready: UAVs for Defence, Security and Emergency
14:35 - 15:05 Spotlight Session: Defence UAS Regulation – Preparing for the Next Era of Military Uncrewed Aviation Lt. Col. Charles Phillips - Deputy Director UAS Directorate of Aviation Operations, Department of DefenceHow Defence is modernising its aviation safety framework for UAS—and what the upcoming DASR changes mean for capability, integration, and industry alignment.
- Updating regulation to reflect the operational reality of modern military UAS, autonomy, and multi-domain operations.
- Aligning safety and capability to support faster acquisition, innovation, and operational use without compromising assurance.
- Strengthening interoperability between Defence, industry, and allied systems through clearer, future-ready regulatory frameworks.
Lt. Col. Charles Phillips
Deputy Director UAS Directorate of Aviation OperationsDepartment of Defence
Exploring how UAVs are reshaping defence and public safety operations—strengthening sovereign capability, securing national airspace, and transforming disaster response, border protection, and community safety through real-time intelligence and rapid deployment.
Track A: Mission Ready: UAVs for Defence, Security and Emergency
15:05 - 15:30 Saving Lives from Above: UAVs in Frontline Surf & Coastal Rescue Damien Boyer - Head of Uncrewed Aviation, Surf life Saving Queensland.How Surf Life Saving Queensland has operationalised UAVs to enhance situational awareness, accelerate response times, and protect both the public and frontline responders.
- Deploying UAVs across dynamic, high-risk coastal environments to support search, surveillance, and rescue.
- Integrating drones into frontline response alongside lifesavers, rescue craft, helicopters, and emergency services.
- Improving decision-making through real-time aerial intelligence in fast-moving, unpredictable conditions.
- Transferable lessons for defence, emergency services, utilities, and industry on rapid deployment, training, governance, and public trust.
Exploring how UAVs are reshaping defence and public safety operations—strengthening sovereign capability, securing national airspace, and transforming disaster response, border protection, and community safety through real-time intelligence and rapid deployment.
Track B: UAVs for Industry & Infrastructure
14:10 - 14:35 Spotlight Session: From Pilot Projects to Enterprise Scale – Building the Business Case for UAVs Matthew Lee - Chief Remote Pilot, Drone and Robotics Engineer, AGL Energy- Scaling operations from isolated pilots to enterprise-wide deployment.
- Quantifying ROI through measurable gains in safety, efficiency, and asset visibility.
- Overcoming barriers in regulation, workforce training, and internal buy-in.
- Aligning strategy between operational leaders, innovation teams, and executive sponsors.
Unlocking efficiency, safety, and scalability as drones transform operations across utilities, mining, construction, logistics, and critical infrastructure—delivering real-time visibility, safer work practices, and data-driven decision-making at scale.
Track B: UAVs for Industry & Infrastructure
14:35 - 15:05 Panel Discussion: Data, Compliance & Integration – Making UAV Insights Work for Industry Matthew Lee - Chief Remote Pilot, Drone and Robotics Engineer, AGL EnergyMichael Bundrock - Adviser Operational Technology | Chief Remote Pilot | Business Improvement, Rio Tinto
- Transforming data from flights into actionable business intelligence.
- Embedding compliance into data capture, storage, and analysis workflows.
- Connecting systems across enterprise analytics, asset management, and ERP platforms.
- Driving efficiency by integrating UAV insights into real-time decision-making.
Michael Bundrock
Adviser Operational Technology | Chief Remote Pilot | Business ImprovementRio Tinto
Unlocking efficiency, safety, and scalability as drones transform operations across utilities, mining, construction, logistics, and critical infrastructure—delivering real-time visibility, safer work practices, and data-driven decision-making at scale.
Track B: UAVs for Industry & Infrastructure
15:05 - 15:30 Spotlight Session: UAVs for Industry & Infrastructure – From Capability to Business-as-Usual Michael Bundrock - Adviser Operational Technology | Chief Remote Pilot | Business Improvement, Rio TintoHow large-scale asset owners are embedding UAVs into everyday operations to improve safety, productivity, and decision-making across complex industrial environments.
- Scaling deployment from isolated use cases to enterprise-wide UAV programs.
- Improving safety and efficiency by replacing high-risk, manual inspections with repeatable aerial operations.
- Integrating data from UAVs into operational technology, asset management, and business systems.
- Proving value through measurable outcomes that secure long-term investment and executive buy-in.
Michael Bundrock
Adviser Operational Technology | Chief Remote Pilot | Business ImprovementRio Tinto
Unlocking efficiency, safety, and scalability as drones transform operations across utilities, mining, construction, logistics, and critical infrastructure—delivering real-time visibility, safer work practices, and data-driven decision-making at scale.
Demo Drive & Afternoon Break
15:30 - 15:50
Demo Drive – Fast, Focused, Unmissable
Get up close with the technologies redefining UAV operations across defence, emergency services, and industry. In this rapid-fire 20-minute showcase, you’ll move through a curated series of live demos—each designed to deliver sharp insights, real use cases, and practical takeaways.
- Experience UAV systems, sensors, software, and data tools in action.
- Ask questions, see results, and discover what’s powering next-generation aerial capability.
- No slides. No fluff. Just innovation in motion. Your front-row pass to the technology transforming the skies.
15:50 - 16:00
Afternoon Break & Demo Zone Open
Step out of the conference room and keep the conversations flying — reconnect with peers, meet the innovators from the Demo Drive, and get hands-on with the UAV technologies transforming defence, emergency response, and industry operations.
Explore solutions, share insights, and see live demos that bring real-world capability to life.
Bringing defence, emergency services, and industry leaders together to define how technology, regulation, and strategy will shape the next decade of UAV capability across ANZ.
Flight Path 2030: Innovation, Integration & the Future of UAVs
16:00 - 16:30
Reimagining the Workforce: The Next Generation of Pilots and Operators
Reilly Williamson -
Drone Collaborative Research Platform - Chief Remote Pilot - Operations Manager,
The University of Queensland
- How pilot roles are evolving with autonomous and semi-autonomous systems
- Building pathways for next-gen UAV talent – from defence to commercial sectors
- Integrating remote pilots into multi-domain teams (defence, emergency services, logistics)
- Attracting diverse talent and fostering STEM skills for future UAV careers
Reilly Williamson
Drone Collaborative Research Platform - Chief Remote Pilot - Operations ManagerThe University of Queensland
16:30 - 17:00
Panel Discussion & Leadership Dialogue: AI, Autonomy & the Flight Path to 2030
A forward-looking discussion bringing defence, industry, and public safety leaders together to align emerging technologies with the strategic, regulatory, and capability decisions shaping the next decade of UAV adoption in ANZ.
- Setting priorities for AI, autonomy, and emerging technologies within national capability and policy frameworks.
- Unlocking scale by addressing the roadblocks to integration, workforce readiness, and operational trust.
- Accelerating adoption through stronger collaboration between defence, industry, and public safety ecosystems.
- Balancing innovation and assurance by embedding safety, governance, and human oversight as autonomy advances.
17:00 - 18:00
Drinks Reception and Demo Zone Open
Connect with peers over drinks, explore cutting-edge UAV solutions, and experience live technology demonstrations in the Demo Zone contacts, and toast to the conversations shaping the future of service and asset performance.
