All articles by Andrew McLaughlin
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AnalysisHow CHC keeps coming to the rescue for Australia’s military
Rotorcraft operator CHC has delivered vital support services for the Australian Defence Force’s aircraft operations over 35 years. Now it is pitching to extend that relationship.
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NewsF-35A software delays push back Australian full operational capability
Deliveries of the Royal Australian Air Force’s final batch of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters is expected to resume following the release of a “truncated” Technical Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade by the Joint Strike Fighter Project Office (JPO).
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NewsTop air forces set to practise joint air battles in Northern Australia
Global air forces are poised to participate in Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black, one of the world’s largest and most complex air combat exercises.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: RAAF's transport capabilities in transition
The Royal Australian Air Force's air transport capability is midway through a massive transformation that is revolutionising how it conducts operations.
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AnalysisANALYSIS: How Australia will ramp up ISR capabilities
The Royal Australian Air Force’s air combat and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities will be substantially increased over the next decade as new fifth generation capabilities are introduced.
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NewsAustralia commissions helicopter carrier Canberra
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commissioned its first of two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessels at a ceremony in Sydney on 28 November.
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Australia formally requests extra C-17s
Australia has formally requested “up to four” more Boeing C-17A Globemaster III airlifters from the US government, a notification by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) posted on 12 November shows.
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NewsAustralia confirms HATS win for Boeing/Thales EC135 bid
Australian defence minister Senator David Johnston has formally declared the teaming of Boeing Defence Australia and Thales Australia as the winning tender for the Australian Defence Force’s Project Air 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS).
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NewsAustralia to buy up to four more C-17s
The Australian Government has announced its intention to buy an additional two Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transports for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
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NewsAustralia's first F-35 gets airborne
The Royal Australian Air Force’s first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II made its flight debut from the manufacturer’s Fort Worth facility in Texas on 29 September.
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Australia commits combat aircraft to fight IS
Australia will commit air and special forces assets to the international coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
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NewsPICTURES: Thailand deploys Gripens to Australia for first overseas exercise
Thailand's air force has deployed its Saab Gripen C/Ds to Darwin in northern Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2014 (PB14), in the type’s first overseas exercise deployment by the service.
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NewsAustralia considering more C-17s, KC-30 tankers
Australian defence minister Senator David Johnston has hinted that his government is considering acquiring additional Airbus Defence & Space KC-30/A330 multirole tanker transports (MRTTs) and Boeing C-17 strategic transports as part of a Defence White Paper currently in development
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Australia pushes for Harpoon integration on P-8As
Negotiations have commenced between Boeing and the US Department of Defense to secure integration of the AMG-84 Harpoon Block 1G anti-ship missile with the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on behalf of the type’s Australian customer.
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NewsAustralian auditors slam bungled NH90 procurement
In a scathing report, Australian auditors have blamed a series of procurement errors and “development deficiencies” for the delayed service entry of the nation’s fleet of NH Industries NH90 helicopters.
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NewsAustralia's first EA-18G enters production
The Royal Australian Air Force's first Boeing EA-18G Growler has commenced production at Northrop Grumman’s El Segundo plant in California.
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NewsAustralia reveals interest in F-35B
Australian defence chiefs have told a hearing by the Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee that prime minister Tony Abbott’s coalition government is considering whether to acquire a number of short take-off and vertical landing Lockheed Martin F-35Bs.
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NewsAustralia to confirm 58-aircraft F-35 order
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will on 23 April announce that his government has approved the acquisition of 58 more Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters.
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Lockheed Martin, BAE square off for Australian trainer contract
Industry teams led by Lochkeed Martin and BAE Systems in Australia have met the 31 March deadline to bid for the Australian Defence Force’s AIR 5428 pilot training system, which aims in 2018 to replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of 63 Pilatus PC-9/As.
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NewsAustralia waits on C-27J transfer approval
Despite having made its first flight last December, the Royal Australian Air Force’s first Alenia Aermacchi/L-3 Communications C-27J Spartan remains laid up in Turin due to delays in obtaining flight clearances for its ferry flight from Italy to the USA.