The Royal Australian Artillery UAS Drone Operator’s Brevet

In May 2023 at a presentation ceremony for the 20^th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggra in Brisbane, a new trade qualification brevet was introduced into the Australian Army. The Uncrewed Aerial Systems operator badge recognises ECN 250 Royal Australian Artillery UAS drone pilots who qualify as “Operators of Category 3 and higher uncrewed aerial systems”

Category 3 UAS military drones are defined by the NATO/UAS drone classification system as “systems above 60kg, categorised as High or Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones (HALE/MALE) that can reach an altitude of 10 to 20 km Above Sea Level (ASL). These systems are deployed at the strategic/national level and use satellite communications (SATCOM) for an unlimited range Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS).” Within the context of this brevet, the Category 3 UAS drones used by the RAA included the RQ-7B Shadow 200 Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System which is being replaced by the RQ-21 Integrator TUAS.

The UAS Operator’s Brevet

Royal Australian Artillery UAS — Royal Australian Artillery ECN 250 Uncrewed Aerial Systems Category 3 Operator’s brevets. Fullsize (NSN 8455-66-167-2859) for dress uniforms and miniature (NSN 8455-66-167-2860) for Mess Dress. Collection: Julian Tennant

The Royal Australian Artillery ECN 250 Uncrewed Aerial Systems Operator brevet is styled as an Army Aviation half-wing. It features a seven-fused flaming grenade, symbolizing the Royal Australian Artillery Corps’ heritage. This grenade was last worn by Artillery Corps Aerial Observation Post (AOP) pilots during the Vietnam War (see wing below). The grenade is encircled by a wattle wreath, which represents the spirit of the Australian people, and is topped by the Sovereign’s crown. Two metal variations are authorized: a full-size version (NSN 8455-66-167-2859) for dress uniforms, and a miniature version (NSN 8455-66-167-2860) for mess dress. The brevets are not yet included in the publicly available version of the The Australian Army Dress Manual.

Commanding Officer of the 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel David Hickey, wearing the UAS Drone Operator brevet on his left breast during the Locating Artillery Centenary Parade at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. June 2025. Photo: LCpl Luke Donegan

“Seek to Strike” – The 20th Regiment RAA – History & Insignia

Unit patches used by the 20th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery. Top left – Unit Colour Patch (UCP) worn on ceremonial Slouch Hats. Top right – TG Chimera patch (2024). 2nd Row, – 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment. (2006 – 2019). 3rd Row – 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (6 Brigade 2019 – 2022). Bottom Row – 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (16 Aviation Brigade 2022 – current).
Juleswings Collection

Bombardier April Horan, a mission commander with 132 Battery, 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery is pictured during Exercise North Queensland Warfighter (April 2025) at the Townsville Field Training Area. Photo: Sgt Tristan Kennedy

Bombardier Riley Van Leeuwen from 133 Battery, 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery is pictured during Exercise North Queensland Warfighter (May 2025) at the Townsville Field Training Area. Photo: Cpl Guy Sadler

Australian Army UAV drone operator Royal Australian Artillery — Task Group Chimera – Exercise Vigilant Scimitar 2024. In May 2024, the 20th Regiment RAA led a Task Group of RQ21 Integrator T-UAS, CH-47 Chinook and AW139 helicopters during the exercise series: Vigilant Scimitar 2024. The Chimera of a snake, lion, and goat represented the amalgamation of UAS, CH-47, AW-139 and ground forces. A commemorative patch was produced for the occasion by the “A1 Insignia” company.

On 9 October 2005, the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Regiment was added to the Australian Army’s Order of Battle. This decision was driven by the Army’s intent to develop an Uncrewed Aerial Surveillance (UAS) capability by expanding 131 STA Battery into a full regiment. This new regiment drew on the traditions of the artillery’s locating units and remarkably, although newly formed, it already had personnel deployed on operations in Iraq.

In early 2005, the AN/TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radar was deployed in support of Al Muthanna Task Group – 2 in southern Iraq. Later that year, the radar troop was reinforced with a Skylark Small UAS section. By January 2006, the first official postings to the re-raised 20th STA Regiment had occurred. The Regiment comprised Regimental Headquarters, 131 STA Battery, 132 UAV Battery, and a Combat Service Support (CSS) Battery.

As operations in Iraq progressed, the demand for more advanced UAS capabilities grew. A service contract was established with Boeing and later Insitu Pacific Limited, under which the contractor provided ScanEagle UAS platforms, maintenance, and some operators, while the Regiment supplied command and most operators. By late 2006, the commitment had grown to a full battery. 131 STA Battery deployed to support Overwatch Battle Group (West) – 2 in Tallil, consisting of a Battery HQ delivering Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition (ISR/TA) support, alongside a Weapon Locating Radar section, a ScanEagle troop, and a Skylark Small UAS section.

In early 2007, 20th STA Regiment deployed a small battery group to Tarin Kot, Afghanistan, providing ScanEagle support to the Reconstruction Task Force. Over the course of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Regiment sustained a high operational tempo, generating two small batteries every six months. By the end of 2013, the Regiment had deployed 15 batteries—three to Iraq and twelve to Afghanistan—and was awarded the Battle Honour streamer “Iraq 2003–2011.”

*Royal Australian Artillery crew prepare an AAI RQ-7 SHADOW Tactical Unmanned Aerial System for launch at Multi National Base Tarin Kot, Afghanistan 2012. Photo: Sgt Mick Davis*

In 2011, a decision was made to cease the Artillery Meteorology, Survey, and Weapon Locating Radar capabilities. The Regiment was directed to focus solely on expanding its UAS capability.

On 9 October 2019, the unit was renamed the 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, as part of an Army-wide move to remove functional titles from RAA units and return to traditional naming conventions. Concurrently, 131 Battery and 132 Battery were standardised in organisation, equipment, and function.

The 20th Regiment RAA had been part of 6 Brigade since March 2010. Then, on 30 November 2022, it was transferred to the Army Aviation Command and reassigned to the 16th Aviation Brigade. This reflected the growing importance of UAS capabilities within Army modernisation plans.

On 1 July 2025, coinciding with the Royal Australian Artillery’s centenary of ‘Locating Artillery in Australia’, 133 Battery was re-raised and added to the Regiment’s Order of Battle.

The regiment currently consists of