| Unit Name: | 822X Squadron |
| Dates: | 2018–Current |
| Country: |  Australia |
| Type: | Trials unit |
| Equipment: | Boeing Insitu ScanEagle Schiebel Camcopter S-100 |
| Size: | One squadron |
| Command Structure: | Fleet Air Arm |
| Garrison: | HMAS Albatross |
| Garrison Label: | Airbase |
| Motto: | "See the Enemy" |
822X Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron established in October 2018. Its role is to trial unmanned aerial vehicles.
The RAN established a Navy UAS Development Unit in late 2012. This unit was tasked with experimenting with a UAV to test the type's suitability and begin developing procedures. It began flying its first UAV, a leased Boeing Insitu ScanEagle, in March 2013. The Navy purchased two ScanEagles in June 2015, and the unit was renamed the Naval Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit. Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAVs were acquired in late 2016, and accepted into RAN service on 30 April 2018.[1]
822X Squadron was formed at HMAS Albatross on 25 October 2018 by redesignating the Naval Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit.[2] The X in its title indicates that it is a developmental unit; this is the first time the Royal Australian Navy has used such a designation.[3]
The squadron's role is to experiment with operating UAVs and develop procedures for integrating them into the Navy. Upon formation, the squadron was equipped with Insitu ScanEagle and Camcopter S-100 UAVs. These are intelligence UAVs equipped with high quality cameras. 822X Squadron's title was drawn from the serial number of the Naval Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit's first aircraft, a ScanEagle designated AV1422.
As of October 2018, the RAN intended to trial the Camcopter S-100s and ScanEagles for three to five years, and purchase other UAVs in the 2022-23 financial year.[4]