Overview

This unit provides students with foundational knowledge of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and Autonomous Systems. Students will explore key operational concepts, enabling technologies, safety standards, regulatory frameworks, and societal considerations associated with unmanned and autonomous aviation.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  1. Describe the primary concepts and practical applications of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)
  2. Identify and explain the roles, capabilities, and integration of key engineering subsystems involved in autonomous air vehicles
  3. Analyse the main engineering challenges associated with designing and operating autonomous aerial systems
  4. Critically evaluate safety, regulatory and community considerations relevant to the deployment of unmanned and autonomous systems

Teaching methods

All applicable locations

Activity Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)

On-Campus Class

 1 12 weeks 12
On-Campus Lecture 2 12 weeks 24
Online Learning Activities 1 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Learning Activities (Independent Learning) 8.5 12 weeks 102
Total     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULOs
Assignment 1 Individual 30 - 40 % 1, 2
Assignment 2 Group 30 - 50 % 1, 3, 4
Online Tests Individual 20 - 30 % 1, 2, 3, 4

Content

Overview of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

  • Introduction to Air Traffic Management (ATM), Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), and Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
  • Types and configurations of autonomous air vehicles (fixed-wing, rotary-wing, hybrid systems)
  • Airspace structures, classifications, and integration of autonomous systems

Enabling Technologies and Systems

  • Communication systems and data links for autonomous aircraft
  • Navigation, guidance, and control technologies
  • Maintenance practices specific to autonomous air vehicles

Manufacturing Technologies

  • Overview of manufacturing methods for autonomous air vehicles
  • Materials and emerging technologies in autonomous aircraft production

Safety, Regulatory, and Ethical Considerations

  • Safety challenges and reliability considerations in unmanned aviation
  • Regulatory frameworks governing autonomous and unmanned aircraft operations (local and international standards)
  • Ethical and community considerations related to autonomous aviation

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.