Page 23 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

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Super Hornet upgrade approved Australian

THE US government has G550 deal
approved upgrades to the approved
Royal Australian Air Force’s
(RAAF’s) fleet of F/A-18F THE US government has
Super Hornets, valued at approved Australia’s
$101.4m. Australia’s 24 request to acquire
Super Hornets will receive Gulfstream G550
new communications and aircraft with Airborne
defensive aids systems for Intelligence, Surveillance,
enhanced interoperability Reconnaissance, and
with the US Navy. The Electronic Warfare
US Defense Security (AISREW) mission systems
Co-operation Agency at an estimated cost of
(DSCA) announced the Above: F/A-18F A44-223 of No 1 Squadron over Mosul during a recent Operation Okra mission. $1.3bn. The Defense
upgrade on July 11. RAAF Super Hornets have been conducting strikes over the Iraqi city as part of Operation Eagle Security and Co-operation
The deal covers the new Strike to clear it of so-called Islamic State fi ghters. FLT LT Trent/Commonwealth of Australia
equipment plus testing, Systems (MIDS JTRS) with sale will improve Australia’s F/A-18 aircraft, and the Agency (DSCA) issued
a Foreign Military Sales
training, and support. The four-channel concurrent capability in current and addition of MIDS JTRS will notification on June 26.
Australian government multi-network (CMN-4), future coalition efforts. accomplish the goal of The Australian
has requested the sale and 39 AN/ALQ-214A(V)4 This equipment will help making US and Australian government requested
of 32 Multifunctional countermeasures systems. the Royal Australian Air aircraft more interoperable the possible sale of
Information Distribution According to a DSCA Force better communicate when supporting up to five modified
System Joint Tactical Radio statement: “The proposed with and protect its operational forces.” G550s. As well as
AISREW mission systems,
RAAF Growler the package includes
GPS capability, secure
fl eet complete communications, aircraft
THE RAAF has received defensive systems;
spares, including whole
its full complement of life costs of airborne
12 EA-18Gs, purchase of and ground segments;
which was announced aircraft modification
in May 2013 at a cost of and integration;
$1.14bn. The final aircraft ground systems
arrived at RAAF Base for data processing
Amberley, Queensland and crew training
on July 7, to be welcomed Australia in February. The and US Navy EA-18Gs Above: EA-18G A46-309 and ground support
by Minister for Defence aircraft serve with No 6 as part of operational from No 6 Squadron fl ying equipment. The prime
to Shoalwater Bay to
Marise Payne and Air Squadron at Amberley. test and evaluation. participate in air operations contractor will be L3
Vice Marshal Steven To date, Australian The RAAF will declare for Exercise Talisman Saber Communication Systems
Roberton, Air Commander Growlers have conducted initial operating capability 2017, which took place at Greenville, Texas.
Australia. After a first successful weapon firings with the EA-18G in 2018, between late June and
flight in July 2015, the first and integration flights followed by full operating late July. SGT Peter Borys/
two Growlers arrived in with RAAF F/A-18Fs capability in 2022. Commonwealth of Australia Upgraded
Third RAAF F-35A takes shape RAAF Hawk

THE THIRD F-35A (A35- Joe Hockey signed the two RAAF F-35As were delivery to Luke Air Force in service
003) for the RAAF is bulkhead of the aircraft delivered in 2014. It is Base, Arizona, in early THE RAAF has begun
under construction at on the assembly line the first of the next batch 2018, where it will be pilot training using
the Lockheed Martin during a visit on July 19. of eight Australian F-35As used for F-35 pilot and upgraded Hawk Mk127 jet
production line at Fort The aircraft is the first currently in production maintainer training until trainers. No 79 Squadron
Worth, Texas. Australian F-35 to be assembled for at Fort Worth. The permanently relocating at RAAF Base Pearce,
Ambassador to the US Australia since the first fighter is scheduled for to Australia in 2020. Western Australia, has
begun training on the
Last RAAF KC-30A begins fl ight-testing modernised aircraft, which
introduce new capabilities
electronic warfare, digital
THE SEVENTH KC-30A in November 2015. Soon the Airbus Refuelling Installation (UARRSI). including simulated radar,
Multi-Role Tanker after arriving it departed Boom System (ARBS), The aircraft will go to mapping, ground proximity
Transport (MRTT) for Getafe for Madrid for two Cobham 905E Manching, Germany warning system and traffic
the RAAF took off from tanker conversion work refuelling pods and the to be painted in RAAF collision avoidance. The
Madrid-Barajas Adolfo in the Iberia workshops, Universal Aerial Refueling colours prior to delivery upgrade also replaces
Suárez International including installation of Receptacle Slipway in 2018. Roberto Yáñez two legacy synthetic
Airport on July 28 for a first training devices with three
test flight. The aircraft, A330 MRTT040 (ex VH-EBI, c/n 898) full mission simulators
carrying registration lands at Getafe on July 28. It will provided by CAE. Initial
become A39-007 after delivery to No
MRTT040, is the second 33 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley. operating capability for the
ex-Qantas Airways Airbus Lead-In Fighter Capability
A330-203 modified as Roberto Yáñez Assurance Program
an MRTT for the RAAF. (LIFCAP) was recognised
In July 2015 Canberra during a ceremony at
placed an order for two RAAF Base Williamtown
more MRTTs to increase on July 5. To date, a joint
the RAAF tanker fleet team of BAE Systems
from the initial five and RAAF technicians has
aircraft to seven. The upgraded 12 of the 33
latest aircraft arrived at aircraft. The full fleet will
the Airbus plant at Getafe be upgraded by early 2019.

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