RocketDNA Ltd Secures ~$1M BMA Extension for Bowen Basin Drone Operations

RocketDNA (ASX: RKT) has secured a ~$1 million BMA contract extension to continue autonomous drone operations across BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's Bowen Basin coal mines through at least October 2026.
By Josua Ferreira -
  • RocketDNA has received purchase orders totalling approximately $1 million from BHP Mitsubishi Alliance to extend on-site drone operations across the Bowen Basin for a minimum of three months to October 2026.
  • The deployment is described as one of the largest continuous autonomous drone operations in Australia, running RocketDNA's full technology stack including xBot®, Skylink®, and SiteTube®.
  • Following the mid-2026 WA subsidiary acquisition, 100% of Australian operating profits — including revenue from this BMA contract — now flow directly to listed shareholders, eliminating the prior 40% minority interest drag.
  • RocketDNA's broader platform momentum is accelerating, with 25,000 pre-booked drone missions registered through Skylink by 30 June 2026 and monthly active users surging 127% quarter-on-quarter past 1,000.
  • The extension continues an established relationship with a tier-one mining client, supporting revenue visibility through at least October 2026 and reinforcing RocketDNA's industrial-scale credentials.

RocketDNA secures ~$1 million BMA extension to continue Bowen Basin drone operations

RocketDNA Ltd (ASX: RKT) has received purchase orders totalling approximately $1 million from BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to extend its current on-site drone operations across BMA’s Bowen Basin coal mines.

The extension runs for a minimum of three months to October 2026, continuing existing operations at a rate broadly consistent with the current arrangement.

Detail Figure
Customer BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)
Order value ~$1 million
Scope On-site drone operations, Bowen Basin coal mines
Term Minimum 3 months, to October 2026
Technology xBot® fleet, Skylink®, SiteTube®

What the extension covers

The purchase orders continue RocketDNA’s existing on-site operations across BMA’s Bowen Basin coal mines. The arrangement follows related announcements dated 29 September 2025 and 27 October 2025, with this extension continuing that engagement.

BMA Contract Extension Overview

RocketDNA describes the program as one of the largest continuous autonomous drone deployments operating in Australia, as detailed in the Company’s case study. The deployment continues to run RocketDNA’s technology stack, comprising:

  • xBot® fleet (drone-in-a-box hardware)

  • Skylink® software

  • SiteTube® software platform

Understanding autonomous drone-in-a-box operations

RocketDNA holds BVLOS accreditation across multiple jurisdictions.

The resulting geo-data and AI services support core mining tasks such as survey, inspection and monitoring.

Why the Bowen Basin deployment matters

The scale of the deployment, described as one of the largest continuous autonomous drone deployments in Australia, serves as a proof point for RocketDNA’s technology operating at industrial scale with a tier-one customer.

The investment angle

The extension supports revenue continuity through at least October 2026, maintaining an established relationship with a major mining client.

The WA subsidiary acquisition completed in mid-2026 eliminated the minority interest that had previously absorbed 40% of Australian operating profits, meaning revenue from contracts like this BMA extension now flows entirely to listed shareholders.

RocketDNA’s broader footprint spans Australia, Africa, Europe and North America. Its xBot® product suite includes SurveyBot, InspectBot and PatrolBot, delivered through the SiteTube® platform and powered by the SiteDrive API.

Across RocketDNA’s broader customer portfolio, 25,000 pre-booked drone missions had been registered through Skylink by 30 June 2026, with monthly active users across Skylink and SiteTube surging 127% quarter-on-quarter to exceed 1,000.

Closing note

RocketDNA Ltd (ASX: RKT) provides autonomous drone-based geo-data and AI services to the mining, agriculture and critical asset sectors. The Company operates across multiple regions with BVLOS accreditation across multiple jurisdictions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RocketDNA BMA contract extension announced in August 2026?

RocketDNA (ASX: RKT) received purchase orders totalling approximately $1 million from BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) to continue autonomous drone operations across BMA's Bowen Basin coal mines for a minimum of three months through to October 2026.

What technology does RocketDNA deploy at BMA's Bowen Basin mines?

RocketDNA operates its xBot® drone-in-a-box fleet alongside its Skylink® and SiteTube® software platforms, delivering geo-data and AI services for mining tasks including survey, inspection, and monitoring.

How does the WA subsidiary acquisition affect RocketDNA's earnings from the BMA contract?

Following the mid-2026 acquisition of its WA subsidiary, RocketDNA eliminated the minority interest that previously absorbed 40% of Australian operating profits, meaning revenue from the BMA contract now flows entirely to listed shareholders.

How significant is RocketDNA's Bowen Basin drone deployment compared to other Australian operations?

RocketDNA describes the Bowen Basin program as one of the largest continuous autonomous drone deployments operating in Australia, with BVLOS accreditation across multiple jurisdictions supporting its industrial-scale operations.

What is BVLOS accreditation and why does it matter for RocketDNA?

BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line of Sight, a regulatory certification that allows drones to operate outside the direct visual range of the operator — RocketDNA holds this accreditation across multiple jurisdictions, enabling large-scale autonomous deployments at industrial mining sites.

Josua Ferreira
By Josua Ferreira
Partnership Director
Josua Ferreira holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Advertising and brings a background in publication, business development, and ASX market storytelling. He has worked with listed companies across the resource sector and broader market, combining sharp commercial instincts with a genuine commitment to keeping investors informed.
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