Robert Dougherty

The unmanned teaming trials will be completed as part of RAAF events this year, known as Capability Demonstration 2025. CD25 is expected to allow the MQ-28 drones to demonstrate operational effectiveness and how collaborative combat aircraft will integrate and operate with RAAF crewed assets.

A single operator, acting from aboard an airborne E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, was able to conduct the capability demonstration at Woomera Test Range in South Australia.

The aircraft conducted the mission, Operation Gateway, in the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea, taking off from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth.

After significant restorations, the aircraft has now been ferried by the Royal Australian Navy’s ADV Reliant ship from Queensland to Port Moresby, where it will feature in the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery.

Parts from the retired Australian Defence Force helicopters were reportedly used in the currently in-service Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopters without grounding the fleet.

Former Emirates pilot Johan Strydom, who owns and restored the World War II aircraft, said he wants to revive the essence of vintage biplane flight over the beaches and forests of WA.