Stephen Kuper

Delivered under the Australian Government’s Women in Aviation Industry Initiative (WAII), the two industry-wide studies provide one of the most comprehensive assessments of workplace culture, leadership and career progression across Australia’s aviation, aerospace and space sectors.

The new vertical wind tunnel replaces two ageing facilities, the 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel and the 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel, while significantly expanding NASA’s ability to conduct aerodynamic and flight dynamics testing across a broad range of aircraft configurations.

The purpose-built facility will house the National Integrated Air and Missile Defence Ecosystem, designed to support next-generation IAMD systems and bolster Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

The approval, announced by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, is designed to enhance Australia’s ability to operate and sustain its advanced fast jet fleet, while strengthening interoperability with US forces.

The contracts will see General Atomics produce the YFQ-42A and Anduril manufacture the YFQ-44A, creating the first operational fleet of autonomous combat aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighters as part of a next-generation “human-machine team”.

The Series B capital raise, led by existing and new investors, comes as the New Zealand-founded aerospace company accelerates development of its Aurora spaceplane and expands its growing satellite propulsion business.