Stephen Kuper

As part of this expansion, Boeing revealed a technology roadmap that substantially increases the uncrewed aerial system’s range, payload flexibility and interoperability for the Royal Australian Air Force and allied customers.

The deal follows an extensive evaluation program by the ADF and marks a significant step forward in deploying operational counter-small uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities across Defence.

Delivered five weeks ahead of schedule in partnership with aviation services provider Yulista, the aircraft, a converted Boeing 777, will serve as NASA’s most capable airborne research platform to date. It is set to play a central role in supporting global climate and Earth system science.

Delivered by Raytheon, part of RTX, the advanced electronic attack system has been developed in close partnership with the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The NGJ is designed to be deployed on platforms such as the Boeing EA-18G Growler, a capability already operated by the RAAF.

The Airborne Science and Cosmology Enabling Telescope (ASCENT) program was formally introduced by Space Centre Australia LLC at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, where it will be based. At the heart of the program is a fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, modified to carry interchangeable telescopes and sensor payloads.

The decade-long investment is aimed at strengthening Australia’s ability to detect and defeat increasingly sophisticated uncrewed aerial threats, both at home and in deployed operations overseas.