Robert Dougherty

The Australian Army helicopter was flying near the town of Timber Creek in the Northern Territory when it grounded on Wednesday evening; however, the incident only came to light in recent media reports.

From 2026, a new ‘Air Force direct entry pathway’ will open for roles such as space operations specialists and officers.

The American made, catapult-launched and skyhook-recovered expeditionary drones have already been used in skies over Shoalwater Bay in Queensland.

The NH90 medium helicopter, manufactured by NHIndustries, has received negative feedback internationally with Australia and Norway having withdrawn the aircraft. The Australian decision took place after a fatal crash during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

This year’s exercise will feature a range of new Australian Defence Force capabilities, including UH-60M Black Hawks and the Precision Strike Missile.

Three of the combat utility helicopters have been transferred to the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, establishing the Army’s second UH-60M Black Hawk operating node.