The RTAHC, which was closed for renovations in 2020, opened its doors again on 14 August as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory in the Pacific, with its first public open day on the following Sunday.
Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters confirmed the investment decisions of $2.7 billion, with the MH-60R Seahawk the preferred option to replace the existing maritime helicopters. The Airbus A321XLR aircraft will replace the ageing 757 fleet.
The drones were developed under Defence’s Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge, which tasked local companies with designing and producing cost-effective, general-purpose platforms to support frontline operations.
The aircraft previously completed testing earlier this year, in which a single human operator onboard a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail was able to successfully control two Ghost Bats in a mission against airborne targets.
Upgradable and adaptable F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft are expected to ‘remain relevant for a very long time’, according to recent comments from retired US F/A-18 instructor pilot Trevor ‘Gonky’ Hartsock.
Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy personnel, supported by United States Air Force 53rd Wing and United States Navy NAWCWD specialists, conducted the advanced target trials from 7 June to 2 July this year.