Future RAAF

“This is a beast; it was built to be a war aircraft and that is exactly what we plan to use it for,” Air Marshal Davies said on February 28.

“This is a precision instrument; it is something we can use to fit into the rest of the Australian [order of battle]; it is something that we need to learn how to use.”

Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne said Australia would partner with the US in the development of a next-generation radar and radio jammer for the Growler with an investment of $250 million.

“Electronic warfare is a rapidly evolving area and we want to ensure that these aircraft remain at the technological forefront throughout their service life, so we will work in partnership with the United States Navy to develop that next-generation jamming capability,” Minister Payne said.

The Growler is capable of providing force-level electronic warfare support by disrupting, deceiving or denying access to an adversary’s electronic systems, including radars and communications systems.

“Integration is the key; it is not just about aeroplanes,” Air Marshal Davies said.

“I expect this aeroplane to spend more time flying with the Army and the Navy than it actually does with the Air Force.”

By the middle of 2017, all 12 aircraft are expected to have arrived at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland to be operated by 6 Squadron. Australia is the only country besides the US to fly the Growler.

Air Force looks ahead to mark its centenary

In 2021 the RAAF turns 100, with the centenary to be marked by a series of commemorative events to showcase Air Force heritage and the work it performs for the nation.

It will also showcase the career opportunities for the next generation of airmen and women who will operate the next generation of aircraft, such as the F-35, P-8A and Growler.

Australian military aviation was born before World War I and the Army’s Australian Flying Corps operated throughout the war. Post-war, there was much debate about whether there should be a separate service or it should remain part of the Army.

Eventually, the government decided there should be an independent service, which was officially formed on March 31 1921 and given royal warrant on August 13 1921. Australia now had three services – the Army which was founded at federation in 1901 and the Navy founded in 1911.

Group Captain Mark Reynolds, director of Air Force 2021, said the RAAF was now examining just how to mark their big birthday. A survey of RAAF personnel threw up a wide range of suggestions, including flypasts and airshows.

For the RAAF, 2021 will be a big year, starting with that year’s Avalon Airshow and moving to the main event on March 31 which will mainly be marked with events at the RAAF Memorial and Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Anzac Day will be another focus, while the RAAF is hoping a member of the royal family will attend the centenary of the granting of the royal warrant on August 13.

Group Captain Reynolds said the RAAF wanted to use 2021 to set itself up for the next 100 years.

“Whilst commemoration and celebration of 100 years is important, it’s really about our future. We want to use 2021 to educate our people and educate the population more about what we do,” he said at the Avalon Airshow on March 1.

“A lot of people know we have an Air Force but do they really know what we are doing? Do they know we are out there 24/7 in the surveillance role, that we support our troops everywhere? We are in the Middle East and we’ve been there for 17 years flying and fighting continuously.”

Currently, GPCAPT Reynolds said he was working on industry engagement with the RAAF and looking for documentary evidence such as historical photos.

“We need to do a gradual buildup. If we have a splash now people will forget,” he said.

Air Affairs to provide three Alpha Jets for ADF training

Air Affairs Australia and Discovery Air Defence Services have won a two-year trial contract to provide three Alpha Jets for Australian Defence Force training.

The “Jet Air Support – Fast Jet Trial” was announced at the Avalon Airshow on March 2 and due to begin in the third quarter of calendar 2017.

The three fully crewed and maintained Alpha Jets would be based at RAAF Williamtown to provide “red air” for Royal Australian Air Force training, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training for the Australian Army and anti-surface training for the Royal Australian Navy.

Operations, maintenance and logistics for Alpha Jets in Williamtown and at Albatross Aviation Technology Park (AATP) Nowra would be supported by an integrated Air Affairs and DA Defence team.

Air Affairs managing director Chris Sievers said: “The capabilities and expertise of both companies will be combined to deliver highly representative threats and training to produce specialist trained and competent RAAF, Army and Navy combat personnel.”

The president Canadian-headquartered Discovery Air Defence Paul Bouchard added: “Discovery Air Defence and Air Affairs are proud to be selected by the Australian Government to bring our combined capabilities and experience to improve the operational readiness of the Australian Defence Force.”

RAAF welcomes first two PC-21s after epic ferry flight

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies says the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) first two Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft will be introduced into service in coming months, following an unprecedented ferry flight to Australia.

The PC-21, which forms part of the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System project, were on public display at the Avalon Airshow.

The journey of A54-001 and A54-002 to RAAF Base East Sale started at Buochs in Switzerland and took 39 hours and 5 minutes, spanning 16 legs over 10 days of flying, with one rest day.

Stops were made at Bari, Heraklion, Luxor, Riyadh, Fujairah, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Chittagong, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, Kupang, Darwin, Mount Isa and Brisbane.

The aircraft were flown with two extra fuel tanks under the wings that almost doubled the amount of fuel that could be carried.

Martin Mendel, instructor and production test pilot at Pilatus, who flew A54-002 to Australia, said he had never before been involved in such a delivery flight.

“This was the longest I have done; next closest was a PC-7 MkII to Malaysia,” Mendel said. “This is much more pleasant because we have the autopilot. And the seat is more comfortable.”

The PC-21 is due to start flying operations at RAAF Base East Sale in the middle of 2017, while the first pilot course is scheduled to start in early 2019.

Air Marshal Davies, Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester were on hand to welcome the new aircraft at Avalon.

“We will be formally introducing the PC-21 into service in coming months, but it is grand to be here at Avalon to welcome these first two aircraft,” Air Marshal Davies said on March 3.

“It really is the start point of us generating what will become a fifth-generation Air Force.”

Organisers thrilled with turnout

Avalon Airshow chief executive Ian Honnery says the prospect of seeing the F-35 and Growler, as well as a host of other military, business and recreational aircraft, help lifted attendances to a record high in 2017.

Figures from airshow organisers showed the total crowd figure for the six-day event was 210,664, an increase of 9,000 from the most recent airshow two years ago.

“I thank our patrons, exhibitors and stakeholders for contributing to this brilliant outcome,” Honnery said in a statement.

“We have established ourselves as the premier aviation, aerospace and defence trade event in Australia and the Asia Indo-Pacific region.”

The total public day attendance was 176,742, while there were 33,922 people who came through the turnstiles during the industry only trade days. Both were record highs, Honnery said.

In total, 634 were on display at Avalon, of which 328 were participating aircraft on display. Meanwhile, there were 664 participating exhibitor companies from 26 countries.