C-130E reunion to coincide with 37SQN 70th anniversary
A reunion will be held on July 19 bringing together past members of the RAAF’s C-130E community. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the formation of 37SQN, the event will be held at the Windsor RSL and is being organised by former C-130E loadmaster... [Continue reading]
Australia issues Triton Letter of Request
The Australian government has confirmed its interest in acquiring the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft by announcing the issuance of a Letter of Request (LOR) seeking further information from the US. Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence... [Continue reading]
Budget reveals RAAF Orion retirement
The Australian Defence budget for 2013-14 released on Tuesday night reveals that a single RAAF P-3C Orion has been retired, with the operational fleet now at 18 aircraft. “One AP-3C has been retired”, a footnote to the ‘Air Force Deliverables... [Continue reading]
Heron moves to SRG
Control of the RAAF’s 5 Flight, which operates the Heron surveillance UAV in Afghanistan, has been transferred from Air Combat Group to Surveillance and Response Group (SRG). At the time the Heron capability was stood up in January 2010, Air Combat... [Continue reading]
New build Growlers, renewed commitment to F-35 mark new Defence White Paper
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Defence Stephen Smith today announced the acquisition of 12 new-build Boeing EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft to help cover the transition to a RAAF air combat fleet of at least 72 F-35 Joint... [Continue reading]
White Paper to confirm 12 Growlers, 100 F-35s – report
The Defence White Paper, due to be released on Friday, will confirm Australia will acquire 12 new build Boeing EA-18G Growlers but reaffirm the government’s commitment to an ultimate fleet of 100 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, news wire service Reuters... [Continue reading]
Selex ES pitches for new Defence ATC system
Selex ES has partnered with BAE Systems in a pitch to replace radar surveillance sensors for the AIR 5431 Phase 2 project. It involves replacing air traffic control surveillance radars with proven integrated sensors at nine fixed base locations around... [Continue reading]
50th anniversary of RAAF intel specialisation
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Intelligence Specialisation in the RAAF, with events to be held in Adelaide and Canberra to mark the milestone. With the transition of the RAAF into a jet age professional force in the 1950-60s,... [Continue reading]
RAAF conducts Super Hornet – KC-30A tanking trials
The RAAF has conducted initial tanking trials between Super Hornets and the KC-30A, leading to the approval of the two aircraft types to undertake air-to-air refuelling within a limited envelope. The approval marks a further move towards Final Operating... [Continue reading]
US Navy visits for Exercise Black Dagger
Eight USN Super Hornets and supporting aircraft arrived in Townsville recently to participate in the two-week exercise Black Dagger as part of the qualification of joint terminal attack controllers. Regular photo contributor to Australian Aviation, Dave... [Continue reading]
Vigilare achieves FOC
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Mike Kelly announced on Tuesday that the Vigilare air defence command-and-control system has achieved final operational capability (FOC). Vigilare has been installed at RAAF Base Williamtown... [Continue reading]
