RPAS 2025 Speaker Bio

Ben Luther

Emerging Markets Team Lead

Nova Systems  

Ben Luther’s aviation career includes 22 years in the Air Force, serving as an operational mission commander. His transition to flight test saw him selected for training at the National Test Pilot School in the US. Subsequently embedded within Airbus, Ben undertook flight test to develop airborne tanker capabilities – developing flight controls and pioneering the remote, 3D vision system. He was part of the team that achieved the world’s first airborne refuelling of a Boeing 737. Following his military service, he joined Gulfstream Aerospace to create flight test safety protocols for developmental flight test and to conduct Part 25 certification flight test of the G500/600 series aircraft.

Now with Nova Systems, Ben continues to champion technology systems. He leads the team that provide safety assurance for space launch activities, hold Nova’s ReOC, provide UAS Test Range services, and add the wrapper of supportability to ADF UAV. He works with clients toward civil certification of their logistics drones. He holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide, having researched organisational approaches to managing catastrophic risk.