Military

Aussie Hornet over Iraq - click to enlarge An important part of aviation is the world's air forces. Like Formula 1 motor racing, air forces set the standard and push the envelope when it comes to extracting the most performance out of a flying machine. Many of the world's commercial industry manufacturers also have an important part of their manufacturing capacity dedicated to military applications, developments and experiments to feed the never ending quest for superiority.

• In the current issue  - Under this sector, the following stories appeared:

  • C17 - New heavy airlift capability for RAAF

  • Potency and Endurance

  • Not who but what is right

  • The JSF priority - Introducing HMAS Austal~Incat a very very very large carrier

  • Should we give the F-111 a longer life in Australia

  • Lockheed Martin F-35 takes shape, readies for first flight

  • New missiles for the Australian Defence Force

  • Exercise Red Flag 06 operations - Nevada USA

  • Pilatus develops new PC-21 training platform

• In the December/January  2006 issue  - Under this sector, the following stories appeared:

  • Qantas Defence Services C-130 heavy maintenance line

  • Singapore acquires Boeing F-15 fighters

  • Boeing A160 Hummingbird completes flight test

  • Lockheed Martin awarded F/A-22 Raptor $US2.9 billion lot 5 production contract

  • USAF to redesignate Raptor

  • BAE Systems' bid for JP129 with Shadow 200

  • Boeing receives support in keeping open the C17 production line

  • Major upgrade for Chinook helicopters

  • Malaysia purchases four A400M military airlifters

  • Hellfire tests completed on ARH Tiger

• 2005 Issues

• 2004 Issues

Past Feature Articles

EX Red Flag: intensive air combat training in USA

Personnel from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley and RAAF Base Williamtown have participated in three weeks of intensive training in the United States of America as part of Exercise RED FLAG 06.

Up to 270 personnel, six F-111's and seven F/A-18 Hornets have deployed to the United States for advanced training at one of the world's best tactical combat training facilities

Operation Pakistan Assist

An Australian Defence Force medical team has deployed to Pakistan to provide vital health care assistance to those affected by the recent earthquake. The deployment will be for up to 90 days as part of Operation Pakistan Assist. The team, made up of about 140 personnel, includes a command element, aviation detachment as well as logistics and communication personnel. Four Black Hawk helicopters will be deployed to provide essential transport and support tasks around the remote town of Dhanni.

Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas AM CSC RAN officially opened Exercise Kakadu in Darwin. Over 1700 Defence personnel from six nations are participating in the multi-national maritime Exercise Kakadu 7 held in northern Australia from 26 July until 12 August 2005. This is the seventh exercise in a series of multinational exercises and brings together defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Visiting forces include Indonesian frigate KRI Fatahillah, Malaysian frigate KD Jebat, Papuan New Guinean patrol boats HMPNGS Tarangau and HMPNGS Dreger and the Singaporean corvettes RSS Valiant and RSS Valour, a Singapore Air Force F-50 and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3K Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Observers from the navies of India, France, the Republic of Korea and Thailand will also visit during the exercise. "Exercise Kakadu provides valuable training for the Australian Defence Force as we continue to further goodwill and mutual understanding with regional defence forces," Rear Admiral Thomas said. "These exercises are vital in ensuring we can effectively and efficiently work with other regional forces."

RAAF Feature Article

TALISMAN SABRE 2005’s primary aim is to conduct collective training and exercise inter-operability between:

Australian and US forces.

DSTO Feature Article

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO's role is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests.

• About DSTO

• Sixty years of aeronautical research in Australia
• The Blackbox: An Australian contribution to air safety
• Development of over-the-horizon radar in Australia