The US Department of State has approved the possible sale of Boeing’s Small Diameter Bomb I to Australia to support the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II. The estimated cost of the potential deal under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program is US$386 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated, and covers up to 2,950
The first of 15 Airbus Helicopters H135 (EC135 T2+) for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) arrived at its new home at HMAS Albatross, Nowra on March 31 after flying in from Airbus Helicopters’ facility at Bankstown Airport. The H135 carries the ADF serial of N52-001, cab number ‘841’ and the civilian registration VH-AQG.
Scientists within the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Aerospace Division have developed a new fatigue-monitoring algorithm that shows the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18A/B Hornets are less fatigued than previously thought. The new algorithm, known as MSMP3, has been brought into use after validation testing demonstrated that the old algorithm over-predicted damage due to
The Royal Australian Navy is looking to acquire an interim vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS). A request for tender (RFT) for the Navy Minor Project (NMP) 1942, released on the AusTender website on February 26 (with a closing date of April 11), seeks to procure a “proven” VTOL ‘Maritime Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System – Interim
A project to upgrade Defence air traffic control facilities valued at $409 million was approved earlier this month. Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack confirmed that new and upgraded facilities will be constructed at 13 bases and five off-base radar sites across Australia. “AIR 5431 Phases 2 and 3 Air Traffic Management and Control System Facilities and
New Zealand Minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee has announced the appointment of Air Commodore Tony Davies as chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). Air Commodore Davies, who has been acting chief, has been promoted to Air Vice-Marshal, and a formal command appointment ceremony is due to be held on April 20. Davies joined
