This unit was tasked with experimenting with a UAV to test the type's suitability and begin developing procedures.

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.