Stephen Kuper

AIR6500 will deliver four advanced air-defence radars, manufactured by Canberra-based CEA Technologies, with the first delivery expected later this year.

The first two aircraft to undergo the ‘Increment 3’ modification will be upgraded in Jacksonville, Florida, with the remainder of the fleet of 12 to be completed at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

Located at CSIRO’s Lab22 facility, the new, state-of-the-art Nikon SLM-280 will be able to print metals side-by-side in one continuous print, enabling the precision manufacture of more affordable aerospace components.

The program of works includes the upgrade or rebuild of infrastructure and facilities at the base in North Queensland.

It was a hard slog, but the proof is in the pudding following an announcement by NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) that it will work with the United States Government via a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case to acquire 6 Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Wedgetail aircraft.

This milestone achievement marks major progress as Northrop Grumman and the RAAF proceed towards delivery of the first aircraft in 2024. The first flight lasted approximately six hours and 24 minutes and included a range of tests, namely airworthiness evaluations such as engine, flight control and fuel system checks.