Laser-Guided Rocket Hits the Mark for Australian Defence Force

Tiger ARH of the ADF (Source: BAE Systems)

The Australian Defence Force demonstrated the precision strike capability of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket, firing the system from an Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) for the first time. Using a Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ) rocket motor, warhead, and launcher, the APKWS rocket was 10 for 10 in the live fire flight trials.

Australia Acquires Two Additional C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft

C-17 of the RAAF (Source: Australia DoD)

Australia has decided to acquire two additional Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft to bolster the Royal Australian Air Force’s existing fleet of six strategic lift aircraft.

The acquisition of the two additional C-17s – and associated equipment and facilities – represents an investment of $1 billion in Australia’s security and the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to respond to a range of contingencies.

Raytheon's Newest JSOW Variant Enters Operational Testing

JSOW C-1 and Super Hornet: a potent combination (Source: Raytheon)

Raytheon Company and the US Navy successfully completed the final free flight in the integrated testing phase for the Joint Standoff Weapon C-1.

During the development test, JSOW C-1 demonstrated its effectiveness against moving maritime targets, a crucial capability against current and future surface warfare threats. The weapon is on track to start operational testing (OT) this spring and is slated for delivery to the fleet in 2016 after the successful completion of OT.

Royal Australian Navy Formally Begins MH-60R Seahawk Training

MH-60R tactical operational flight trainer for the Royal Australian Navy (Source: CAE)

CAE recently announced that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has accepted into service the first of two MH-60R Seahawk Tactical Operational Flight Trainers (TOFT) along with an MH-60R Avionics Maintenance/Weapons Load Trainer (AM/WLT). The MH-60R simulators are located at HMAS Albatross, which is near Nowra in New South Wales and home of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm.

Australia’s First F-35A Pilot Takes Flight

Australia’s first F-35A pilot takes flight.
Source: Australian DOD

Australia's first F-35A pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, took his first flight in an F-35A aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, United States.

The flight was on the morning of Wednesday 18 March in a United States Air Force F-35A aircraft, as the Australian F-35A aircraft are currently located at Luke Air Force Base, in anticipation of the opening of the international pilot training centre in mid 2015. SQNLDR Jackson will continue his intensive training program over the coming months.

RAAF Launch Plan Jericho

Plan Jericho (Source: RAAF)

A strategy to transform the Royal Australian Air Force for the future, Plan Jericho, was today released by the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown AO.

Releasing Plan Jericho in Melbourne ahead of Australian International Airshow at Avalon, AIRMSHL Brown said the much-anticipated plan would set Air Force on a path of transformation for the future.