DefenceTalkLockheed Martin Australia has been selected as the preferred tenderer for the new Australian Defence Force Pilot Training System. The contract will see the Australian Defence Force’s Basic Flying Training delivered from RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. The Pilot Training System will deliver 49 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, with RAAF Base East Sale to become home […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raaf-base-east-sale-to-deliver-adf-basic-flying-training-65282/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy awarded a nearly $1.5 billion contract Aug. 27 to Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the procurement of 13 Full-Rate Production (FRP) Lot 2 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Nine planes will join the U.S. fleet and four will join the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), who has been a cooperative partner in the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-orders-additional-p-8a-aircraft-first-royal-australian-air-force-planes-65216/

DefenceTalkChief 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. 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 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-raaf-c-27j-spartan-arrives-in-australia-64756/

DefenceTalkAustralia now has the most advanced air battle space management capability in the world, with the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft achieving Final Operational Capability. The fleet of six Wedgetail aircraft reached the milestone this month with the entire capability, from physical aircraft to logistics, management, sustainment, facilities and training, now fully operational […]https://www.defencetalk.com/wedgetail-aircraft-achieves-final-operational-capability-64308/

DefenceTalkThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) successfully tested a Raytheon Company (RTN) Joint Standoff Weapon C (JSOW C) against a hardened wall target at the RAAF Woomera Test Range. Launched from an F/A-18F Super Hornet at an operationally representative stand-off range and altitude of 25,000 feet, the JSOW C scored a direct hit. The RAAF […]https://www.defencetalk.com/royal-australian-air-force-scores-direct-hit-with-jsow-c-60291/

DefenceTalkAn 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 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raaf-starts-growler-training-in-the-united-states-49578/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the beginnings of the first F-35 Lightning II for Australia yesterday. The aircraft, designated as AU-1, officially began the mate process, where major components of the aircraft are joined together to form the aircraft’s structure. AU-1 will then make its way down the assembly line […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-f-35-for-australia-takes-shape-in-fort-worth-49348/

DefenceTalkPrime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Defence Stephen Smith today announced the steps the Government has taken to strengthen Australia’s air combat capability. The 2013 Defence White Paper highlights the strategic importance of a potent and flexible air combat capability to control Australia’s air approaches and support operations in the land, sea and air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/2013-defence-white-paper-australian-air-combat-capability-47662/