The specially configured planes, which will fly from Sydney to London starting in October 2027 with Sydney to New York to follow, will carry just 238 seats, including six in first-class, 52 in business, 40 in premium economy, and 140 in economy including Economy Plus.

The Weapon Fill Measurement Vehicle (WFMV) flight test, conducted in late April, “marked a significant advancement in Australia’s ability to integrate weapons onto the F-35A Lightning II faster and more efficiently”, according to Defence.

Three Quantum Vector 2-in-1 operator courses have been completed to date, with additional drone qualification courses expected later this year.

Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, made the comments on the sidelines of the space industry event held at Hyatt Regency Sydney on Thursday, 18 June.

The airline, which held $93 million in unused credits as of February, will allow passengers to use them for travel bookings up to 27 May 2027, though the booking deadline remains at 30 June this year. The credits were issued between 2020 and 2022 for flights impacted by the pandemic.

Australia’s leading space innovators, engineers, scientists, and industry pioneers have been recognised at the seventh annual Australian Space Awards, with the nation’s rapidly growing space sector gathering in Sydney to celebrate excellence, innovation, and achievement.