Robert Dougherty

The trial, from 17 to 21 August, assessed two Australian-developed systems: the uncrewed maritime-logistics-focused Callisto 50 trial demonstrated autonomous launch and recovery from a moving ship, while the Arace Angel trialled airborne surveillance and night operations.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, said the RAAF has demonstrated it is ready to conduct long-range, survivable and lethal maritime and land strike from F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft against highly defended targets.

It’s understood that the government may have as little as two weeks to consider the formal offer, received earlier this year, from the head of ESA with a co-operative agreement for a flight to space.

The approval recognises the maturity of flight operations and allows SYPAQ to independently authorise BVLOS activities across Australia, according to the company.

The investment, part of the second tranche of AIR6500, will be made over six years through Defence’s existing strategic partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia, providing more than 360 highly skilled jobs in both the Hunter region and South Australia, and supporting the Australian Defence industry.

The successful run of tests has the aircraft reportedly continuing on a path towards a new phase later this year, where NASA will evaluate the sonic “thumps” the X-59 is designed to make when flying faster than the speed of sound.