Although the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is expected to take delivery in 2014 of the first two of an eventual fleet of up to 100 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs), domestic industry seems unlikely to have more than a peripheral involvement in the support and maintenance of the new type until late 2017.

The mission: delivery of a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) capability into Afghanistan in 90 days. The outcome: 3,500 hours flown in the first year with another 6,500-plus planned for 2011. ADM has a look at how Project NANKEEN came together and what the future holds for the ADF’s first operational experience with a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) RPA.

Then acting minister for defence Jason Clare has welcomed the restructure of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program announced by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates early this year.

Last year, the Hawk Lead in fighter (LIF) fleet celebrated its 10th birthday in Australian service with the RAAF, and reached 60,000 flying hours. With new pilot training programs on the way, the lessons learned from this program could provide some interesting insights for these future programs.

JSF prime contractor Lockheed Martin has received a US$3.5 billion contract modification from the US Department of Defense to manufacture 31 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters in the fourth batch of Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

With a number of capability enhancements for the RAAF AP-3C Orion fleet completed or underway and a second tranche of system and capability upgrades in the offing under a second phase of the Capability Assurance Program (CAP), one would hope that the fleets’ eventual high level capabilities are at least matched by those of its planned replacement – the P-8A Poseidon.

Just five days after farewelling the last of its F-111 strike aircraft, the RAAF declared Initial Operational capability (IOC) for its growing fleet of F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Boeing will offer multi-role cargo pods designed and manufactured by Adelaide-based SME Airspeed to future customers for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

By the time this year’s Avalon air show gets under way we could see draft RFTs for the ADF’s two critical pilot training programs, Air 5428 and Air 9000 Ph 7. The RFTs themselves should be out by midyear.

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation is giving an export working capital guarantee to help Ferra Engineering deliver on a sub-contract to supply parts to the F-35 JSF.

Raytheon Australia, BAE Systems and Hawker Beechcraft have teamed to bid for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System Program.

The Acting Minister for Defence Jason Clare has welcomed the restructure of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

AIR 5431 Phase 1 and SEA 1442 Phase 4 have been given First Pass Approval, and consolidation of F/A-18A/B refurbishment programs will also go ahead.

Authored by Andrew Davies, this Policy Analysis is the third ASPI paper on the future of the Royal Australian Navy's combat helicopter capability.

As Australia's F-111 fleet retires, the contribution made by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation over the life of the platform has been recognised.

Australia's first squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets is operational following the arrival of four new aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley.