AAUS is proud to be hosting its 8th Industry Awards night to recognise individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Australian uncrewed systems industry. After an extensive judging period, we are excited to announce this year's finalists.
Finalists for 2026 are:
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award will recognise individuals or organisations that lead the way with advocacy work that strives to improve the commercial and / or technological viability of the uncrewed system industry.
- Ross Osborne (SYPAQ Systems)
- Russell Turner (Fire and Rescue NSW)
- John Fleming (FPV Australia)
- Daniel Murphy (Nova Systems)
- Christopher Clark (RocketDNA)
- Wedgetail Aerospace
- Dr Aaron McFayden (QUT)
- Zoe Chadwick (Leidos Australia)
- Ed Boxall (Sensorem)
- Wayne Condon (Toll Uncrewed Systems)
- Fire Rescue Victoria
- James Bassam (Australian UAV Service)
- Hover UAV
Innovation - Technology Award
The Innovation – Technology award will go to the organisation or individual that has developed drone technologies including drone systems or sub-systems. (eg. drone, payloads, avionics, powerplants, data exploitation systems) that has had a significant positive impact for end users or the broader uncrewed systems industry.
- Drone-Hand
- Space CoLAB
- Metrops
- Department 13 International
- RocketDNA
- Stratoship
- Timed Automation Solutions
- Praetorian Aeronautics
- The Vertical Co
- Taz Drone Solutions
- FPV Australia
- Swinburne University AIR Hub
- Yarra Drones
Innovation - Operations Award
The Innovation – Operations award will go to the organisation or individual that has developed novel and innovative operational capabilities to benefit customers. (eg. airspace integration, swarming, novel applications).
- FPV Australia
- Metrops
- RocketDNA
- North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (Charles Darwin University)
- Ocius Technology
- Firetech Labs & Noosa Shire Council
- Yarra Drones
- Taz Drone Solutions
- Freespace Operations
- Hover UAV
Education & Safety Award
The Education & Safety Award will recognise individuals or organisations who demonstrate leadership in educating the unmanned systems industry with particular emphasis of developing a safety-focussed culture.
- FPV Australia
- Toll Uncrewed Systems
- Commercial Drone Services
Social Impact Award
The Social Impact Award will recognise individuals or organisations who demonstrate a mission, capability or technology that has a positive impact on society or has focused on the betterment of the uncrewed industry as a whole.
- Canberra Multirotor Racing Club
- Indigenous Ranger Groups across northern Australia (The Office of the Chief Remote Pilot (Parks Australia/DCCEEW) and Indigenous Ranger groups across northern Australia.)
- Australian UAV Service
Diversity & Inclusion Award
The Diversity & Inclusion Award will recognise individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to supporting diversity and fostering inclusion within the uncrewed systems industry.
- Aleisha Hvala (Charles Darwin University)
- Alana Flack (Trendspek)
- Australian UAV Service
- Ghost Nets Initiative (Ghost Net Ranger Groups / DCCEEW (Office of Chief Remote Pilot))
NextGen Achievement Award
The NextGen Achievement Award will recognise young individuals that demonstrate elite capability and leadership in their field within the uncrewed systems sector.
- Jake Tremelling (SYPAQ Systems)
- Nelson White (ADF Drone Racing Association)
- Ryan Walls (Department 13 International)
- Trent Borchard (Mirror Mapper)
- Ashim Panta (Praetorian Aeronautics)
- Bailey Brown (Hover UAV)
- Dylan Bishop (Hover UAV)
- Oliver Heys (Australian UAV Service)
- Tyler Warren (Azure Integrity)
AAUS congratulates all Finalists.
Award Winners will be announced that the AAUS Gala Dinner (held in conjunction with the RPAS in Australian Skies conference 2026) in Canberra on Wednesday March 11, 2026.
