The RAAF’s C-130H Hercules will be retired early to save $250 million in operational and maintenance costs, the federal government’s budget for 2012-13 released Tuesday evening reveals. The eight flyable C-130Hs, operated by 37SQN from RAAF Richmond, were due to be retired from 2013, but last October Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Material Minister
Airbus Military’s A400M airlifter has received initial type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency as it moves toward first delivery expected by the turn of the year. The receipt of the Restricted Type Certificate is a step toward full civil type certification, which Airbus said it expects to receive by mid-year following the completion
Defence has released a tender for deeper maintenance of the RAAF classic F/A-18 Hornet fleet, with the new contract expected to take effect from April 2013. “This contract will provide all deeper maintenance requirements for the 55 single-seat and 16 dual-seat aircraft and associated systems. This includes operational fight trainers, computer‑based training systems, maintenance training
The Australian Army’s new Shadow 200 Tactical Unamnned Aerial System (TUAS) has officially commenced operations in Afghanistan, providing an enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ITSAR) capability to the International Security Assistance Force. The Shadow 200 replaces the ScanEagle which has been in operation since mid-2007. Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ash Power
Australia will push back by two years its decision on whether to buy as many as 70 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, Defence Minister Stephen Smith announced this morning. Smith said the decision, which follows a similar move by the US, would save Australia $1.6 billion over the next four years. Delaying the purchases, however, will
The Army’s Black Hawk helicopters have been cleared for full operations six days after being restricted to essential flights. The partial suspension followed the emergency landing of a Black Hawk on April 24 during preparations for Anzac Day commemorations in Papua New Guinea. According to the ADF, an investigation found that the helicopter suffered an
