We were here to see a presentation on the AgustaWestland Hero, an unmanned helicopter that could well become a tool not just for the defence force but civil agencies as well.

This remotely piloted helicopter, we were told, could assist in the battlefield in a reconnaissance role, help agencies tasked with responding to natural disasters like fires and floods, keep an eye on remote borders to spot human traffickers and unlawful fishing.

The AWHero could also find a role in search and rescue, crime prevention and traffic management.

And, if the partnership between Air Affairs and Leonardo is successful in convincing the federal government the AWHawk is a suitable platform for the defence force, it could significantly increase job opportunities and boost the local economy.

The Aviation Technology Park is already booming. Air Affairs itself employs some 130 people, who spend their healthy earnings in the local community. Venture out to the park on weekdays and it appears to be a hive of activity if the tight parking is any indication.

The potential for further expansion with the Italian drone – or Remote Unmanned Air System, as it is officially known – could be the exciting next chapter in the Shoalhaven’s aviation and defence sector.

Recreational drone pilots already know how quickly the technology has advanced in recent years. Consumer drones now have greater range, better cameras, and advanced guidance and homing systems. All this and many of them can fold away into a backpack.

Defence forces around the world are embracing the even more sophisticated technology to not only save money – the unmanned AWHero costs 10 per cent of the expense of flying a manned chopper - but lives as well.

The hero of the AWHero package is the aircraft itself, which weighs a mere 205kg, can fold up and be transported by truck or even by helicopter, and takes just 17 minutes to be made flight-ready. It is a remarkable piece of kit.

We wish Air Affairs and Leonardo well in pursuing this exciting project.