HeliMods
Australian aerospace technology company specializing in the design, certification, advanced manufacturing, and integration of helicopter special mission systems for emergency medical, search and rescue, aerial policing, and tactical operations.
- CEO / Founder
- Will Shrapnel
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $31.65M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Queensland Government (Sovereign Industry Development Fund); Australian Federal Government (CDIC Defence Global Competitiveness Grant; Jobs and Regional Growth Fund); Export Finance Australia
Technology & Products
Key Products
Powered Aero Loader (PAL) — zero-lift push-button stretcher loading system; Tactical Mission System (TMS) — airborne ISR mission suite; Next Gen EMS Cabin — aeromedical interiors; Complete Aircraft Configurations — custom mission-ready platforms; Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM) — fleet management service; Engineering & Technical Advisory Services; Advanced Manufacturing Services; OEM & Prime Support Services
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Vertically integrated end-to-end capability (design, certification, advanced manufacturing, integration, through-life support) for helicopter special mission systems, leveraging digital twin workflows, AR/VR environments, and advanced simulation tools to deliver certified mission systems.
How They Differentiate
End-to-end vertically integrated Industry 4.0 digital technologies combined with in-house design, certification, manufacturing, and integration — reducing reliance on third parties. Founder-owned and led. Approved CASR 21.J Design Organisation with rotary-wing mission system focus.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Government and defence agencies, aeromedical operators, OEMs (Leonardo, Airbus, Textron Aviation), and prime defence contractors
Industry Verticals
Emergency Medical Services (HEMS); Search and Rescue (SAR); Aerial Policing & Law Enforcement; Defence & Tactical Operations; Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR); Government & Public Safety
Competitors
United Rotorcraft (USA — helicopter mission systems integrator); Aerolite (USA — ultralight EMS equipment manufacturer); iAERO (Canada — helicopter modification services)
Growth & Milestones
Major Milestones
2002 — Founded by Will Shrapnel as a one-man operation at Caloundra Aerodrome; 2018 — Partnered with Ornge (Canada) to launch PAL powered stretcher loader; 2018 — Named Telstra Queensland Business of the Year; 2019 — Premier of Queensland's Regional Exporter of the Year; 2019 — Awarded CDIC Defence Global Competitiveness Grant; 2020 — $10.3M facility expansion announced with Queensland Government support; 2022 — Completed first RFDS B360 King Air aeromedical fit-out; 2026 — Awarded A$31.65M from Queensland Government's Sovereign Industry Development Fund for Advanced Industry Precinct Expansion
Notable Customers
Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS); Australian Defence Force; Ornge (Canada); Victoria Police Air Wing (Starflight Victoria); LifeFlight Australia; DRF Luftrettung (Germany); Queensland Health & Public Safety Business Agency; Australian Antarctic Division; BC Emergency Health Services (Canada)