Page 160 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

160 FROM THE SOURCE AIR MARSHAL MEL HUPFELD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 158
AM HUPFELD: Defence provides airlift capacity in response to a range of military and civil requirements. Force Struc- ture Plan 2020 has identified a future need for more air lift and more air-to-air refuelling, and subsequently allocated future projects to deliver these capacity increases.
ADM: Why has the Spartan fleet been reassigned to HADR?
AM HUPFELD: The C-27J is a very capable light tactical fixed wing aircraft able to conduct near-region operations in response to national and regional engagement objectives,
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My priorities are to: Use the Strategy-led capability design model to create an Air Force future blueprint, to conceptual- ise and shape capability acquisition and sustainment for the future force; Ensure that novelty and creativity are central characteristics or our force design – enabling air and space power to be applied in ways that cannot easily be anticipated by competitors, and; Conceptualise the future workforce re- quirements to realise the air and space power blueprint and to drive creativity and agility across all levels of the force.
ADM: When will the MC-55A Peregrine capability be- come operational and how would you describe its role and importance to the ADF?
AM HUPFELD: Air 555 will deliver four MC-55A aircraft in- cluding mission, ground and support systems and Austra- lia-based facilities. The MC-55A is a first of type modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft with mission systems incorpo- rated by L3 Harris USA.
The Peregrine will provide a new airborne electronic warfare capability that will be integrated into Defence's joint warfighting networks, providing a critical link be- tween platforms, including the F-35A Lightning II, E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Navy’s surface combatants and amphibious assault ships and Land force.
The project is progressing through the design and de- velopment stage of the program. Facilities are in the build phase with an interim operating facility at RAAF Base Ed- inburgh due for completion in second quarter of 2022.
During 2021 and 2022, the first four MC-55A airframe modifications will continue. The first aircraft to begin mis- sion system integration is expected to return to Greenville Texas (L3H) in second quarter of 2022.
The Peregrine capability is anticipated to be fully opera- tional in 2025/26 financial year.
“TO EVOLVE FOR THE FUTURE, WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON HOW BEST TO USE OUR TOOLS FOR THE GREATEST EFFECT”
crises and natural disasters. Humani- tarian Assistance and Disaster Relief is a small but critical part of the role required of the C-27J. The other roles include logistics support (passengers, cargo and airdrop), surveillance, search and rescue and aeromedical evacuation.
ADM: From a capability standpoint, what are your priorities?
AM HUPFELD: Air Force’s contribu-
tion to the joint force will become more about realising the unsurpassed advantage of the ultimate high ground – the air and space domains.
The force of tomorrow will be characterised by invisible connections across air, land, maritime, space, information and cyber – with masses of data from sensor inputs fused with artificial intelligence and machine learning to rapidly convert data to information to knowledge, and to insight at unfathomable speeds.
LEFT: A Royal Australian Air Force pilot in the final phase of the six-month operational conversion course for the F-35A Lightning II
ABOVE RIGHT: An Aircraft Technician with 2 Squadron performs maintenance on a CFM56-7B engine on a Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft
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