07 November, 2015 by James Drew - FG

Dubai   - Australia still hopes to acquire an armed, long-range unmanned air vehicle in a similar class to the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper, but moving forward with a “recommended project” depends on the outcome of a pending force structure review.

That review, the Defence White Paper, takes into consideration the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) request for a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV, but is awaiting examination and release by the country’s new prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

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October 28, 2015 By Australian Department of Defence - defencetalk.com

A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft has used its air‑to‑air refueling boom for the first time on operations while refueling a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail last week during a Coalition mission above Iraq. The air-to-air boom refuelling process involved two large aircraft, military versions of the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737-700, approaching within metres of each other while in flight and transferring fuel via a maneuverable pipe, known as a boom, which extends back from the rear of the KC-30A. This type of refuelling involves use of the AAR boom at the rear of the aircraft, rather than the wingtip AAR drogues used to refuel smaller aircraft equipped with an AAR probe. Commander of the Australian Air Task Group, Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham, said establishing and proving the operational boom refueling capability was yet another in a long list of accomplishments by the Australian Defence Force team in the Middle East.

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Night vision image of an F-18A Hornet from Australia's Air Task Group refuelling from a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft during the first mission of Operation OKRA to be flown over Syria (AUS DoD photo)

Sept 12, 2015 defense-aerospace.com (Source: Australian Department of Defence)

The Australian Air Task Group (ATG) completed its first operational mission in Syria overnight, retuning to base in the Middle East without incident.

No weapons were released during the mission.

The mission provided on-call interdiction and dynamic targeting support as part of the international coalition’s effort to disrupt and degrade Daesh.

Two Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornets, a KC-30A air-to-air refuelling aircraft and E-7A Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft combined during the mission.

ATG Commander, Air Commodore Stu Bellingham said the Hornets searched points of interest for enemy activity in eastern Syria, reporting to the international coalition’s Combined Air Operations Centre through the E-7A aircraft.

“Daesh controls a large amount of territory in eastern Syria that serves as a source of recruitment and oil revenues, and as a base from which it continues to launch attacks into Iraq”, Air Commodore Bellingham said.

“The Hornets were also prepared for any short notice high priority tasking which could include surveillance and weapons release,” Air Commodore Bellingham said.

The KC-30A provided air-to-air refuelling support to the F/A-18A Hornets throughout the mission.

The ATG is part of Operation OKRA, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the international effort to combat the Daesh terrorist threat in Iraq and Syria.

The Australian ATG will continue to plan and conduct air strikes against Daesh in Iraq and Syria as part of coalition strike operations aimed at disrupting and degrading Daesh strongholds.

30 June 2015 Australia DoD

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO, welcomed the first RAAF C-27J Spartan battlefield airlift aircraft in Australia at a ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond today, coinciding with the 90^th anniversary of the base’s establishment.
 
The acquisition of the C-27J Spartan will fill a gap in Australia’s military capability for tactical fixed wing airlift, which has been left open since the retirement of the Caribou fleet in 2009.
 
AIRMSHL Brown said the acquisition of 10 C-27J aircraft, which has been planned since 2012, signifies a $1.4 billion investment in Australia’s airlift capability.
 
“This acquisition represents a commitment to Australia’s air power capability which is a critical element of Australia’s national security and defence strategy,” he said.
 
“The C-27J will strengthen the Australia Defence Force’s air lift capability by increasing our ability to move troops, equipment and supplies.
 
“The aircraft will complement the capabilities of the C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster and will be able to carry medium-sized loads and access smaller runways that are not suited to other aircraft.
 
“This will allow Air Force to support humanitarian missions as well as battlefield airlift in remote locations and unprepared airstrips common in Australia’s region.
 
“Under Plan Jericho, the plan to transform Air Force into a fifth generation fighting force for the information age, the C-27J will operate within an integrated system that is more agile, has an extended reach and gathers and distributes information quicker and more efficiently than ever before.”
 
The C-27J aircraft provides protection from a range of threats through features such as missile warning systems, electronic self protection, secure communications and battlefield armour.
 
Initial Operational Capability for the C-27J fleet is planned for late 2016, with Final Operational Capability expected within the following two years.
 
The fleet of C-27J Spartan aircraft will initially be based at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales, until their permanent home at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland is completed.

March 11, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Australian Defence Materiel Organisation; issued March 10, 2015)

Multi Role Tanker Transport Removed from “Projects of Concern” List

The Royal Australian Air Force’s KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft has been removed from the Projects of Concern list after effectively being remediated by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and its industry partner.

Known as Project AIR 5402, the KC-30A MRTT had been on the Project of Concern list since February 2010 due to delays in delivery by Airbus Defence and Space.

DMO Acting Chief Executive Officer, Harry Dunstall, said that following an extensive development and testing program, the issues previously identified with the introduction of the Aerial Refuelling Boom System had been resolved and Defence had formally accepted the capability.

“Resolution of this issue completes the remediation of all activities identified in the project’s remediation plan, and accordingly it has been removed from the list,” Mr Dunstall said.

“Airbus Defence and Space has worked collaboratively with us to address our concerns and I would like to recognise and thank Airbus for their efforts.

“This is a great example of the effectiveness of the Projects of Concern process in remediating troubled projects.”

The project has delivered five new-generation Airbus Military KC-30A MRTT aircraft.

These aircraft are capable of in-flight refuelling of current and future ADF aircraft and will provide a significant air logistics services capability.

The KC-30A aircraft has been conducting hose and drogue in-flight refuelling in the RAAF since 2011 and is being used to great effect on current operations in the Middle East.

The recent acceptance of the boom capability paves the way to begin introduction of the boom in-flight refuelling capability into service progressively through 2015.

This capability will now undergo operational evaluation and all aircrew will be trained before Air Force can declare Full Operational Capability.

25/02/2015 Armée de l'air

Du 22 au 25 février 2015, le général Denis Mercier, chef d’état-major de l’armée de l’air (CEMAA), s’est rendu en voyage officiel en Australie. Une visite qui coïncide avec l’arrivée de l’A400M Atlas en terres australes, une étape dans son périple autour du monde.

France-Australie : des liens étroits appelés à se renforcer

« L’armée de l’air et la Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ont toujours eu des relations assez proches. Par le passé, les aviateurs australiens ont ainsi volé à bord d’appareils français, comme le Mirage III, explique le général Mercier. Aujourd’hui, la distance géographique entre nos deux pays peut poser problème. Pourtant, grâce à des appareils dotés d’un rayon d’action considérable, comme l’A400M aujourd’hui, ou le Multi Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) demain, nous pourrons entretenir des relations beaucoup plus étroites. Et d’ajouter : la coopération existe déjà, notamment avec la base aérienne 186 de Tontouta, en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Elle peut toutefois se renforcer par le futur. »

Lors de son entrevue avec le général Geoff Brown, chef d’état-major de la RAAF, le CEMAA a pu évoquer le dynamisme des relations entre les deux pays. « La coopération entre nos deux forces aériennes porte notamment sur le domaine du ravitaillement en vol, détaille le général Mercier. Depuis octobre 2014, les Rafale français ravitaillent ainsi sur les KC-30A MRTT australiens. Nos deux pays font actuellement partie de la coalition internationale engagée contre les groupes terroristes Daech au Levant. Par ailleurs, depuis le mois de janvier, un pilote de C135 FR est inséré en échange au 33e escadron de la RAAF, stationné sur la base aérienne d’Amberley. »

Rencontre au sommet : le Chief of Air Force Symposium

Dès le lundi 23 février, le CEMAA a participé au Chief of Air Force Symposium. Organisé tous les deux ans en Australie, ce colloque rassemble les chefs d’états-majors d’une trentaine de nations du monde entier, autour d’un thème fédérateur. Les débats de cette édition 2015 étaient centrés autour du concept de « l’intégration de la puissance aérienne». Intégration aussi bien interarmées, interalliée, qu’interministérielle. A cette occasion, la RAAF a présenté son plan stratégique appelé « Plan Jericho ». « Ce dernier est très intéressant à plusieurs titres, puisqu’il présente de nombreuses comparaisons avec le plan Unis pour « Faire Face » de l’armée de l‘air, confie le CEMAA. Cela nous a permis de partager nos visions respectives de l’avenir au sein de nos forces. » Au cours de ce symposium, le général Mercier a aussi rencontré plusieurs de ses homologues étrangers, dont les CEMAA singapourien et japonais.

Inauguration de l’Avalon Air Show

Mardi 24 février, le général Mercier a assisté à l’inauguration officielle du Avalon Air Show. Le CEMAA s’est rendu dans les allées du salon aéronautique, à la rencontre d’importants industriels aéronautiques français et européens. Sa journée s’est achevée par une visite du stand dédié à la présentation statique de l’armée de l’air. Il s'est également entretenu avec la quinzaine d’aviateurs opérant le premier tour du monde dans la jeune histoire de l’A400M Atlas.

Le salon d’Avalon en bref :

- Plus important salon aéronautique de l’hémisphère sud ;

- Organisé tous les deux ans sur l’aéroport d’Avalon, dans la région de Melbourne ;

- 14e édition depuis sa création en 1988 ;

- Thème principal de cette édition : célébration du centenaire de l’ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps - contingent australien et néo-zélandais ayant combattu durant la Première Guerre mondiale). Cet événement est un véritable acte fondateur pour la nation australienne ;

- Près de 200 000 visiteurs lors de la dernière édition du salon en 2013 ;

- Environ 300 appareils présentés au sol, dont une trentaine de nations étrangères ;

- Environ 300 présentations aériennes

Site web : Avalon Air Show 2015

A view of Baghdad at night from a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft during a mission over Iraq.

10 December 2014 news.defence.gov.au

One of Australia’s contributions to the Coalition air campaign against ISIL is the Air Task Group’s E-7A Early Warning and Control ‘Wedgetail’ aircraft.

Deployed on Operation OKRA, the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft missions entail controlling the ‘battle management areas’ that cover the majority of the airspace above Iraq.

Commander of Australia’s Air Task Group Air Commodore Steve Roberton praised the skills of the crews who regularly manage over 80 combat aircraft during a single mission.

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07/11/2014 International

À l’invitation de son homologue australien David Johnston, Jean-Yves Le Drian, ministre de la Défense, a effectué du 31 octobre au 2 novembre 2014 une visite en Australie. L’occasion pour les deux pays de renforcer leur coopération dans le domaine de la défense et de commémorer la Première et la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, ministre de la Défense, s’est rendu en Australie du 31 octobre au 2 novembre à l’invitation de son homologue australien, David Johnston. A cette occasion, il a participé à la commémoration à Albany du départ des troupes australiennes et néozélandaises pour les fronts de la Première Guerre mondiale. A l’issue, le ministre a remis les insignes de chevalier de la Légion d’honneur à trois vétérans qui ont servi en France pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Le 2 novembre, le ministre a rencontré à Perth son homologue australien, David Johnston, pour évoquer la situation en Afrique et au Moyen-Orient et les efforts pour combattre le terrorisme international. Les ministres ont réaffirmé leur engagement, en coopération avec leurs partenaires internationaux, de soutenir l’Irak dans son combat contre le groupe Daesh.

Afin de faciliter la coopération opérationnelle, les ministres ont également signé un arrangement technique qui définit les conditions du ravitaillement en vol des avions Rafale par l’Airbus KC-30 MRTT de la Royal Australian Air Force. Ils ont par ailleurs noté l’achèvement des négociations sur l’arrangement qui définit les conditions du soutien logistique mutuel en opérations, en particulier en cas de catastrophes naturelles ou d’assistance humanitaire.

Les ministres ont salué la bonne coopération entre les deux pays dans le domaine des équipements de défense et rappelé l’importance de poursuivre des échanges réguliers. Jean-Yves Le Drian et David Johnston ont conclu que la France et l’Australie devaient continuer à travailler sur la question des capacités de défense et à partager les meilleures pratiques et le retour d’expérience dans les domaines opérationnels et techniques.

Cette visite de Jean-Yves Le Drian marque le renforcement des relations entre la France et l’Australie. Elle précède le déplacement du président de la République en Australie à l’occasion du sommet du G20 et de la visite d’État planifiée les 18 et 19 novembre.

Australia's first F-35A joint strike fighter taking flight from Fort Worth, Texas, US. Photo Liz Kaszynski - Lockheed Martin.

1 October 2014 airforce-technology.com

The Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) first F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter completed its inaugural flight at a facility in the US.

Designated AU-1, the aircraft reportedly took off from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, the US, for a two hour flight, which included a series of functional checks.

Australian Defence Minister David Johnston said the first flight event represents a significant step towards acceptance of the aircraft.

"Australia's first aircraft AU-1 and AU-2 will undergo further flight testing in the lead up to acceptance and ferry to Luke Air Force Base in 2015.

"The fifth generation JSF is the most advanced fighter in production anywhere in the world and will replace our fleet of Classic Hornets, which by 2020 will be more than 35 years old."

Australia is acquiring a total of 72 F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft from Lockheed Martin for an estimated cost of more than $12bn.

The first two aircraft were rolled out by Lockheed in Fort Worth, Texas, on 24 July.

At Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, US, the aircraft will be used in Australian and partner country pilot training programmes.

The first F-35 aircraft is scheduled to enter service in Australia in 2018, while the first operational squadron would be established by 2020.

Under development in three variants, the F-35 is a fifth generation multirole fighter jet designed to carry out a wide range of ground attack, reconnaissance and air defence missions with stealth capability.

Australia joined the F-35 programme during the development phase, bringing more than $355m worth of contracts to the domestic defence industry.

In addition to this, the Australian industry is on course to win in excess of $1.5bn in JSF-related production and support work over the life of the programme.

Nov 6, 2013 ASDNews Source : MoD Australia

An important step in the introduction of the Royal Australian Air Force’s electronic warfare capability has commenced, with the first pilot instructor commencing flying on the EA-18G Growler in the United States.

Flight Lieutenant Sean Rutledge has commenced training with the Electronic Attack Wing, US Pacific Fleet (CVWP) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Once he’s completed his training, Flight Lieutenant Rutledge will be qualified to instruct other RAAF aircrew for the 12 EA-18G Growlers the Australian Government is purchasing from the United States Foreign Military Sales program.

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20 December 2012 Pacific Sentinel

C-27J Spartan (File Photo)

Jun. 6, 2012 by Greg Waldron – FG

Singapore - Australia has entered a A$63 million ($61 million) contract with Italy's Alenia Aermacchi related to the sustainment of its future fleet of 10 L-3/Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft.

"A contract has been signed with Alenia Aermacchi that will allow for the long term operation, maintenance, modification and upgrade of the C-27J aircraft and support systems," Australia's Department of Defence (DoD) said in a statement.

"The contract will also provide Defence with the ability to compete and sub-license third parties, including Australian industry, to provide the maintenance services, training services and the ability to modify the C-27J capability."

A DoD spokesperson told Flightglobal that the contract covers "technical data and intellectual property support not available from any other source."

"[The contract] will assure Defence's ability to independently establish and maintain airworthiness certification, life of type sustainment, future modifications that may be required, and cost-effective through life management of the aircraft and its support systems," the spokesperson said.

In early May Canberra, confirmed it will obtain 10 C-27Js for A$1.4 billion through the US foreign military sales (FMS) mechanism, with US firm L-3 Communications designated as the prime contractor