Embraer S.A. and L3Harris Technologies have announced a partnership to develop an “Agile Tanker”, a tactical aerial refuelling option designed to address the US Air Force’s joint force refuelling requirements.

Inadequate infrastructure may hinder Defence’s efforts to develop and retain a skilled civilian workforce at RAAF Tindal to support the introduction of the MQ-4C Triton, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has been told.

The skies over the Northern Territory echoed to the sound of Japanese fighter aircraft for the first time since the Second World War in August and September, with the participation of 3 Squadron Japan Air Self Defense Force in Exercise Pitch Black.

The German Luftwaffe deployed combat aircraft to Australia for the very first time in late August, to participate in the multi-lateral Pitch Black air combat exercise.

Twelve Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighters from the United States Marines Corps’ Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12) in Iwakuni, Japan, deployed to RAAF Tindal in August to participate in Exercise Pitch Black.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has unveiled Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton autonomous aircraft during a ceremony at its high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft production site in California.

Pilots, Air Battle Managers and Engineer Officers from the Royal Air Force (RAF), United States Air Force (USAF) and US Navy have gained experience on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Boeing E-7A Wedgetail during exercise Pitch Black 2022.

The Boeing EA-18G Growlers of No.6 Squadron RAAF added an additional dimension to Pitch Black air combat exercise held in the relatively empty skies of the Northern Territory in August and September.

Exercise Pitch Black 2022, the largest air combat exercise in the southern hemisphere, was notable for several events but perhaps none more so than the debut of the fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.

An early victim of the previous government’s quest to find almost $10 billion of savings in the Defence budget was Project Air 7003 – the only pathway to the acquisition of an armed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone.

Centred around RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, Exercise Pitch Black 2022 was the largest in the biennial series to date, with around 100 combat aircraft from 11 nations taking part.

A French A330 MRTT refuelled a C-17A for the first time during Exercise Pitch Black 2022, in a sign of military ties warming post-AUKUS.

Northrop Grumman Australia has successfully completed a demonstration of its fifth-generation Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) proposed solution.

RAAF aviators experienced complex combat missions and deployed operations with the United States Air Force during Exercise Red Flag Alaska from July 28 to August 12.

RUAG Australia has signed on with Honeywell International to become a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Authorised Service Centre for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Wheels and Brakes program in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lockheed Martin Australia’s Research and Development team, STELaRLab, the RAAF and DSTG successfully tested Integrated Air and Missile Defence decision support capabilities using a live, virtual, constructive training system.