The aircraft, Australia’s largest-ever contingent to Operation Gateway, participated alongside around 90 Australian personnel operating from Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth to provide maritime domain awareness in the North Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.
Exercise Southern Arrow 25 saw a major milestone in the development of systems to counter emerging aerial threats as part of LAND 156, the ADF’s $1.3 billion initiative to develop and deliver C-UAS capabilities.
In a contract awarded to CAE Australia, a major provider of training simulators and services, the investment will see crews train in CAE’s Future Air Mission Training System (F-AMTS).
The announcement follows confirmation that an Australian-designed and manufactured MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft has deployed an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile against an Australian-made Phoenix Jet uncrewed aerial target.
Awarded as an undefinitised contract action, the deal covers a suite of essential sustainment activities for US and international operators. This includes depot-level maintenance and repair, replenishment of spare parts, material management, engineering and technical support, propulsion system integration and ongoing software sustainment.
This first flight represents the safe operation of the Boeing attack helicopters being used by Australia’s military, marking a significant milestone in the growing capabilities of the Australian Defence Force.