Era of F-111 ends

A chapter of aviation history will end with the retirement of the Royal Australian Air Force's last F-111s on the 2nd of December. Since its first flight almost 46 years ago, the F-111 has flown operational missions over Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and East Timor.

Australia adds JASSM to Projects of Concern list

Australia has added the acquisition and integration of Lockheed Martin's AGM-158 JASSM missile for its F/A-18 Hornet fleet to its Projects of Concern list. The Department of Defence says the project is behind schedule and "risks to capability remain". The missile was selected by the RAAF in 2006.

BAE Systems Delivers RAAF Hornets Ahead Of Schedule

BAE Systems has BAE Systems has delivered the two most recent F/A-18 Hornets under the RAAF’s Deeper Maintenance Support Contract ahead of schedule and under budget. With partner L-3 MAS Canada, the company delivered the first Hornet three working days ahead of schedule and second aircraft being delivered ten working days early at its Williamtown facility.

PHOTO: RAAF Roulettes visit central Australia

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The Roulettes fly in wedge formation over Uluru. Over the week starting on Sunday the 31st of October through to 4th November the Roulettes aerobatic display team visited the outback to showcase military flying skills to the public.

More images at the Australian Defence Force website.

Boeing and RAAF complete in-country C-17 crew training

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully completed the first year of in-country Pilot Initial Qualification (PIQ) training for the C-17 Globemaster III. Boeing Defence Australia has trained eight new C-17 pilots since the courses began in February.

Boeing completes first Wedgetail mission crew training course for RAAF

Boeing has completed the first Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) mission crew training course at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. The seven-month course saw eight instructors and three role players from Boeing Defence Australia providing eight RAAF students with more than 1,200 hours of programmed training.

RAAF C-17 to deliver RAN Seahawks across Australia for exercise

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17s will deliver the S-70 Seahawks of the Royal Australian Navy's 816 Sqn across the continent to Western Australia for an anti-submarine exercise. 816 Sqn is normally based at HMAS Albatross, Nowra in New South Wales on Australia's eastern seaboard.

Airbus to complete qualification flights with RAAF tankers

The last customer qualification flights involving the Royal Australian Air Force's new KC-30A tankers will be flown by early November. This clears the way for two of the modified Airbus A330s to be handed over to the RAAF before the end of 2010.

VIDEO: RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet first JSOW live fire

In September Australia's new Super Hornets tested their deployment capabilities as No. 1 Squadron conducted their first live weapon trials at the Woomera Test Range, north of Adelaide. This is a video of the first AGM-154C JSOW (Joint Stand Off Weapon) live fire by a RAAF Super Hornet.

See Related Image Gallery

Australia adds AP-3C upgrade to Program Watchlist

Australia has added a critical AP-3C Orion upgrade to its program watchlist for troubled defence-related programs. In the crosshairs is BAE Systems’ upgrade work on the aircraft’s electronic support measures subsystem, known also as Air 5726 Phase 8B, which is currently 18 months behind schedule.

RAAF Hawks grounded

The Royal Australian Air Force has grounded its fleet of Hawk Lead-In Fighter trainers after a technical fault caused an aircraft to shut down while taxiing in Western Australia. The RAAF operates 33 Hawk 127s, with 76 Sqn and 79 Sqn at RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales and RAAF Pearce, Western Australia respectively.

Australia DSTO develops cost-saving software for C-130J operators

Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), together with the Royal Australian Air Force, has developed a software that assists in the dynamic balancing of propellers, resulting in lower vibration levels and reducing maintenance costs. Several C-130J operators are already using the software, with more to follow.

Major military exercise kicks off in Malaysia

The Australian Department of Defence has announced that Exercise Bersama Padu has begun involving the armed forces of Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The RAAF has deployed eight F/A-18s from No 3 Squadron RAAF Williamtown NSW for the exercise, which means 'Together United' in Malay.

Related: Australian Defence Force Ex Bersama Padu Image gallery

A330 MRTT obtains military certification

Airbus Military's A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport has obtained certification from the Spanish military certification authority.This paves the way for first delivery of the aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the coming weeks.

SITE UPDATE: Defence Airshow 2010 - RAAF Williamtown Gallery (Aerial)

The second Photo Gallery for Defence Airshow 2010 at RAAF Williamtown is up on the main site. This gallery will contain photos from the aerial display.

SITE UPDATE: Defence Airshow 2010 - RAAF Williamtown Gallery

The first Photo Gallery for the recent Defence Airshow at RAAF Williamtown is up on the main site. This gallery will contain photos from the Static Display and ground taxi shots.

Boeing completes first RAAF Super hornet with electronic future attack capability

Boeing has completed production of the first Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet with the capability to be converted into an electronic attack aircraft. Twelve Australian Super Hornets are to have this capability.

Gone Fishing

Well, not exactly fishing, but I'll be in the Hunter Valley region tomorrow and Saturday for the Australian Defence Force Airshow 2010 at RAAF Williamtown. Normal programming will resume Sunday the 19th.

RAAF marks 100 Middle East missions for C-17s

The Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) C-17 Globemaster III fleet has recorded 100 missions in the Middle East in just over a year. In these 100 missions, 4500 tonnes of cargo have been moved.

See related Photo Gallery

Australian Defence Force Air Show 2010

Just a reminder that the Australian Defence Force Airshow will be held at RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales on the 18/19th of September. Base Leg Aviation News and Photography will be there, so stay tuned on this blog and the main site for updates.