Australia to search ocean the size of Ukraine for missing Malaysian 777

Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released details of its operation to search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, a Boeing 777 jetliner with 239 passengers and crew on board which mysteriously vanished about an hour into a Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight on the 8th of March. Satellite data has indicated there was a possibility that MH370's last contact could be in the southern Indian Ocean in what is known as the "southern corridor". An area totalling 600,000 square kilometres (see image below provided by AMSA), or roughly the size of Ukraine - inclusive of Crimea - located 3,200 kilometres (2,000 miles) from Perth has been designated as the search zone. The search area was developed based on information made available to AMSA on Monday, and being will be refined in conjunction with other agencies.

Six aircraft have been allocated to the search; four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion maritime patrol/anti-submarine aircraft, a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-3K2 Orion and a United States Navy (USN) P-8 Poseidon. All six aircraft are expected to reach Perth tomorrow (19th March) and it is expected that five daylight sorties will be flown on the 19th. One AP-3C has already redeployed to RAAF Base Pearce, north of Perth from the Cocos (Keeling) Island and has already flown a search sortie today with more AP-3Cs being deployed from RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia.

Back-of-envelope calculations show that the Orions will probably take about five hours to transit to/from the search area from Western Australia, which will leave them with at least two hours of fuel available to search the area. By shutting down up to two engines (see photo above of a RAAF AP-3C flying with one engine shut down), the Orions will be able to conserve fuel and extend loiter time over the search zone.

More from Greg Waldron over at Flightglobal

USAF Aggressors at Amberley for exercise with RAAF

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald

The USAF's colourful, Eielson AFB, Alaska-based Aggressors are back in Australia! Ten F-16s from the 18th Aggressor Squadron are currently at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland for Exercise Viper Lightning till March 24th. The Aggressors will be training with the RAAF's F/A-18F Super Hornets and the Williamtown-based E-7A Wedgetail off the coast of New South Wales.

The 18th AGRS have come in from Guam earlier this week following Exercise Cope North, a multilateral exercise involving the United States, Japan and Australia. http://www.qt.com.au/news/f-16s-appear-in-airspace-at-amberley/2189860/

VIDEO: RAAF C-130J media flight over Melbourne

The guys from Plane Crazy Down Under recently flew on board one of a pair of Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules transports on a media flight over Melbourne as part of the lead up to the Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow to be held at Point Cook, Victoria in early March. This is a video report of that flight.

External Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq8WDyVn5nI

VIDEOS: Singapore Airshow aerial displays: Black Knights, Black Eagles, Jupiter, V-22 and more

Youtube user Tonkatsu298 brings us some videos of the aerial display at the recent Singapore Airshow. Aerobatics displays from 3 military display teams (Singapore's Black Knights, Indonesia's Jupiter and South Korea's Black Eagles). Plus solo displays from the a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Royal Australian Air Force, F-16C and C-17 from the USAF, and a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor making its debut at Singapore Airshow.

Here are some of the highlights:

Republic of Singapore AF Black Knights (F-16C Fighting Falcon)
External Link

Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles (KAI T-50B Golden Eagle)
External Link

Indonesian Air Force Jupiter (KAI KT-1)
External Link

United States Marine Corps Boeing MV-22B Osprey
External Link

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
External Link

More videos of the aerial displays at Singapore Airshow 2014 on Tonkatsu298's Youtube page

Australia's first F-35A, C-27J achieve milestones

Alenia Aermacchi Photo

Big week for the future platforms of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as two key programs achieve milestones.

The first Lockheed-Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the RAAF, coded AU-1, which is currently winding its way through the cavernous JSF production facility at Fort Worth, Texas, is now standing on its on wheels for the first time. The aircraft was lifted by an overhead crane from an EMAS – Electronic Mate and Alignment System – station where its forward and rear fuselage sections were joined to the wing-centre fuselage assembly, to final assembly, where its control surfaces are added and final systems and engine are installed.

Meanwhile Alenia Aermacchi has announced that the first of ten C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters for the Royal Australian Air force has made its maiden flight. It will be delivered to prime contractor L-3 Communications in 2014 for final fitout before the first two aircraft are brought to Australia in 2015. Here is the RAAF's (informative) media release about the event.

PHOTOS: Air-to-air images of RAAF Hornet in warbird photoshoot

I'm not a fan of using over-the-top superlatives to describe everything, but I think these photos are really stunning. On the 2nd of November, the Temora Aviation Museum in New South Wales, Australia held their second ever Warbirds Down Under airshow.

In addition, an air-to-air photoshoot was conducted from out the back of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society's ex-Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) DHC Caribou, photographing some of the historical aircraft participating in the show. They were joined by a couple of RAAF F/A-18A/B Hornets and the photoshoot itself, along with some dusk/sunset photos were captured from the back seat of an F/A-18B.

More images can be found at this Gallery. Click on the thumbnails below for high resolution images.

© Commonwealth of Australia

© Commonwealth of Australia

First Australian Growler pilot starts training at Whidbey Island

The Royal Australian Air Force's first EA-18G Growler pilot instructor has commenced flying on the type in the United States. The training is being conducted with the Electronic Attack Wing of the US Pacific Fleet at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Over the next three years, six RAAF crews (comprised one pilot and one electronic warfare officer) will learn to fly the Growler with the US Navy’s VAQ-129, with assistance from the US Program Management Office (PMA-265) at Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Australia has 12 new-build EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft on order. It had originally intended to convert 12 of it's current fleet of F/A-18F Super Hornets (pictured above) into Growlers.

VIDEO: Australian Maritime Counter-Terrorism exercise Iron Moon 2013

Jumping out of a perfectly good C-17 (Screengrab from video). © Commonwealth of Australia

Boats and counter-terrorist special forces air dropped from a C-17, VBSS teams boarding a simulated hijacked commercial vessel by rappeling down from Blackhawks and more...

This is an awesome video from the Australian Department of Defence shot during Exercise IRON MOON 2013, a two week Maritime Counter Terrorism training exercise in the waters off Exmouth and Dampier in North West Australia. The annual exercise involved several hundred personnel from across Defence and Australian federal and state civilian agencies. The exercise is designed to enhance and validate the ADF Maritime Counter Terrorism response capability in the most realistic environment possible.

PHOTO: Air-to-Air of Singaporean PC-21 with Aussie PC-9, Hawk 127

© Commonwealth of Australia. Click on thumbnail for high resolution version.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) recently conducted a joint flight over the city of Perth in celebration of 20 years of Singapore Flying Training at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia. A RSAF Pilatus PC-21 trainer flew in conjunction with a RAAF BAe Hawk 127 Lead In Fighter Trainer of 79 Sqn RAAF and a Pilatus PC-9 of No.2 Flying Training School.

More images by the RAAF's photographers in this Photo Gallery

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 24 Sept 2013

Well, this is a surprise. South Korea has decided against acquiring the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle and will likely restart the fighter competition to select a replacement for the RoKAF's F-4 and F-5 fleets.

Chatter is increasing that budget problems will see the USAF retire its entire A-10 fleet. In the Asia-Pacific region this will affect one squadron based at Osan in South Korea.

The impending delivery of Taiwan's first P-3C Orion has been delayed due to a tropical storm forming in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Various companies are forming teams to offer proposals for Australia's Project AIR 5428 to supply trainers for Australia's fixed-wing pilot training system.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 05 Sept 2013

TNI-AU (Indonesian Air Force) Su-30MK2

Two more Sukhoi Su-30MK2 Flankers have arrived in Indonesia in knocked down condition from Russia. This completes Indonesia's order of Flankers.

Boeing is still warily confident of the F-15SE Silent Eagle being selected in South Korea when the expected announcement is made in 2-3 weeks. This wariness is despite reports that both the F-35 and Typhoon have already been eliminated.

The last Australian F-111 designated as a museum piece has left RAAF Amberley on it's way to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii on board an RAAF C-17.

After a delivery flight interrupted by a lightning strike on one of the aircraft, the last three Gripens Thailand has on order have arrived at Surat Thani, home to the RTAF's Wing 7.

Talisman Saber and America’s Pacific Pivot

My first ever piece to appear on The Diplomat, about Talisman Saber and America’s Pacific Pivot is now online. Please have a read, critique and comments welcome. Be nice, please?

As usual, a big thank you to the Royal Australian Air Force, in particular Mr. Eamon Hamilton of Air Lift Group for the opportunity to fly with the KC-30A during the refueling mission!

RAAF Chief: Airbus A330 MRTT boom woes yet to be resolved

© Commonwealth of Australia

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown says that Airbus Military has yet to resolve problems with the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport's refuelling boom. Speaking in London, Air Marshal Brown says the KC-30A tanker and troop transport has been on the Australian defense department’s Projects of Concern list since 2010 and is the “biggest priority at the moment,”

In an coincidental twist, we flew on board one of the RAAF's KC-30s just as the news came out, refuelling a flight of RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets over the Coral Sea just off Brisbane during a Exercise Talisman Saber mission. Photos from that will appear on the website soon.

VIDEO: Exercise Aces North (and a reference to the movie Top Gun)

An interesting piece over at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who reported with the Royal Australian Air Force's 75 Sqn at Exercise Aces North, which recently concluded over at the RAAF bases in Australia's Northern Territory.

Aces North 2013 is the final phase of the No 32 Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) course, which is conducted every two years and provides experienced F/A-18 A/B Classic Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet Pilots and Weapon System Officers with five months of highly specialised training in all air combat related roles. The exercise was held from June 3-28 and involved the RAAF's F/A-18A/B Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, the E-7A Wedgetail and a KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport.

And fans of the movie Top Gun will make instantly make the connection between the name of CO 75 Sqn RAAF and his callsign, as seen from the below screengrab of the ABC video:

For those who are unaware, the main character in the 1986 movie Top Gun (played by Tom Cruise) is Pete Mitchell and his callsign is Maverick.

PHOTO: RAAF C-130Js carry out low-level training

© Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image.

Four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed-Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft conducted an early morning tactical training flight on 21 June 2013. Departing RAAF Base Richmond at dawn, the aircraft flew a simulated airdrop mission in central New South Wales (NSW), before flying at low level for the NSW coast and tracking along the coastline, before heading inland to the Blue Mountains and returning to base. The Hercules crews, from No. 37 Squadron, were practicing their ability to navigate whilst flying in a tactical formation, similar to what they may do if conducting an airdrop of paratroops and cargo loads to a drop zone.

More Images are available in this Australian Defence Force Gallery

New Gallery: Exercise Pitch Black 2012

Finally got down to editing and uploading the photography from our visit to RAAF Darwin last August for Exercise Pitch Black 2012. 20 photos have now been added to the Pitch Black Gallery. The photo below, of Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A+ Hornet A21-7 of 77 Sqn holding short on Darwin's Runway 29 while waiting for a Republic of Singapore Air Force Gulfstream 550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning aircraft to land, is my favourite photo from two days of shooting.

Australia confirms acquisition of 12 EA-18G Growlers, recommits to F-35

Click for hi-res. © Commonwealth of Australia

Confirming earlier reports, Australia has confirmed that it will acquire 12 new-build Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack aircraft in its Defence White Paper released today. (see P.77 and 88 of the White Paper). The Royal Australian Air Force's current fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets will retain their current configuration.

Australia has also reaffirmed its commitment to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, and expects to induct 3 operational squadrons of F-35s from 2020 to replace its current fleet of F/A-18A/B Hornets(P.88 of the White Paper). A decision on whether to replace the existing RAAF Super Hornets with more F-35s will be made closer to 2030.

PHOTO: USAF Aggressor F-16 air-to-air with RAAF Hornet

As has been reported previously, the USAF Aggressor F-16s of Eielson AFB (Alaska) have been in Australia supporting the RAAF's ongoing Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) course by providing adversary support. They have since left, but not before going for a photoshoot with the RAAF's Hornets, resulting in this spectacular Photo Gallery.

Click on thumbnail for full size image

PHOTOS/VIDEO: RAAF KC-30 MRTT refuels F/A-18 Hornets

Viking 61 and 62. Click on thumbnail for hi-res imagery.

On the 27th of February 2013, members of the media at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, Victoria were given a unique opportunity to go on board a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) on a flight to refuel two F/A-18A Hornets of 77 Squadron, arriving from their base in Williamtown, New South Wales for the airshow. The mid-air refueling took place in the skies over Victoria's Gippsland region and the Bass Straits.

Viking 62 was F/A-18A A21-49 in the colourful 77 Sqn 70th Anniversary scheme. Click on thumbnail for hi-res imagery.

This publicity flight was a unique in the sense that it was the first time media have been invited on board a KC-30 conducting a refueling mission. About 30 media personnel boarded the KC-30, serial number A39-003 and operating under the callsign DRAGON 21, from the civil aviation terminal at Avalon Airport and departed under leaden skies at approximately 1400. After a short flight, we rendezvoused with VIKING 61 and 62, a two-ship Hornet flight over the East Sale Restricted Airspace where the Hornets joined up on the KC-30's left wing before "plugging into" the refueling baskets trailing from the HDUs (Hose Drum Unit) mounted on each of the tanker's wingtips.

Viking 61 was F/A-18A A21-48 in the RAAF's 90th Anniversary scheme. Click on thumbnail for hi-res imagery.

At this point, I would like to add that I would have been perfectly happy if the Hornets were regular "line birds" in standard squadron livery, however the fact that both Hornets were painted in various special commemorative schemes was an added (and much appreciated) bonus. To top it off, both "receivers" were carrying a mix of AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) and 500-lb Joint Direct Attack Munitions along with wing tanks and Elta EL/L-8222 ECM pods. The Hornets and tanker and receivers circled among the clouds while the media pack had a field day shooting photos and video. After a few minutes, refueling was complete and both Hornets slid over to the tanker's starboard wing before breaking off towards Avalon, landing just before the KC-30, which touched down at 1505 local.

The RAAF has five MRTTs on strength with 33 Sqn at RAAF Amberley, with one aircraft currently with manufacturer EADS conducting boom certification which is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

The Base Leg would like to express our deepest appreciation to the RAAF, our crew and Eamon Hamilton, Public Affairs for the RAAF's Air Lift Group for making this amazing event happen. A video of the highlights of the flight can be assessed below (available in HD/720p)

RAAF C-130J to light up Melbourne dusk with spectacular flare drop

Commonwealth of Australia

This sounds freakin' awesome. From the Royal Australian Air Force:

An Air Force C-130J Hercules transport aircraft will make a spectacular appearance on Sunday, February 24, as it conducts a ‘flaredrop’ over Port Phillip Bay.

Beginning shortly after 8pm, the Hercules will fly over Port Phillip Bay towards St Kilda in a counter-clockwise direction, at an altitude of 300 metres. It will complete a ‘practice pass’ to ensure there are no boats or other obstructions for the flaredrop. On its second pass, the Hercules will dispense up to 240 flares over the course of ten seconds, as the aircraft banks left towards Williamstown.

The best public vantage points will be Beaconsfield Parade and the St Kilda Foreshore. The display may also be visible from Williamstown.

The flares will safely burn out before they reach the water; however, Air Force requests the cooperation of local boat owners to remain clear of the flightpath.

The flares serve a practical application, being part of the C-130J’s countermeasures against attack by infra-red guided missiles. The C-130J will be one of the many Defence aircraft on display at the 2013 Australian International Airshow, to be held at Avalon Airport from February 26 to March 3.

The display over Port Phillip Bay will also recognise this month’s 10th anniversary of continuous deployment of Australian Hercules to the Middle East Area of Operations, the longest such deployment in Air Force history.

This activity is subject to availability of the C-130J to conduct this task, and may be cancelled at short notice. Air Force will endeavour to notify the public through media and online if this display is cancelled.

Live updates for the flypast will be posted to http://www.twitter.com/airforcehq and using the hashtag #Avalon13.

So if you like aviation and are in Melbourne this Sunday, you know where to be!