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CONTACT magazine
An MQ-28A Ghost Bat takes off for flight testing during Exercise Carlsbad at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.
News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Videos 

Ghost Bat spreads its wings in Tindal

25/06/202529/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 8229 Views 0 Comments Exercise Carlsbad, MQ-28A Ghost Bat, RAAF Tindal

Exercise Carlsbad has wrapped up at RAAF Base Tindal after the successful deployment and operation of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat

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Figure 1. A racing drone used by the Air Force Drone Racing Association
Thought provoking 

The Weaponisation of Toys and Implications for the Air Force

25/10/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2604 Views 0 Comments

The Weaponisation of Toys and Implications for the Air Force Ryan Hodson Australian Defence Force The ‘poor man’s air force‘

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9 Squadron Association patron and former Commanding Officer, Air Chief Marshal (retd) Angus Houston is shown the Squadron Standard following the 9 Squadron reactivation ceremony at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

RAAF squadron celebrates new chapter

09/04/202413/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2353 Views 0 Comments MQ-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Point Cook

As the Royal Australian Air Force’s 9 Squadron gears up to introduce the MQ-4C Triton this year, anticipation mounted for

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Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy MP, during the announcement to boost the RAAF's fleet of 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Response aircraft at RAAF Fairbairn. Photo by Jay Cronan.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

Boost for maritime patrol and response fleet

20/09/202321/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2736 Views 0 Comments MC-4C Triton, No. 9 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, RAAF Fairbairn

The ADF will acquire a fourth MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system and upgrade its fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime

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Warrant Officer Paul Gregory, left, with Flight Lieutenant Bradley McMaster, celebrates achieving over 9000 flying hours of service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Burnet.
ADF People 

Experience and knowledge for the next generation

17/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2151 Views 0 Comments AP-3C Orion, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon

Warrant Officer Paul Gregory has spent 36 years accumulating a wealth of experience in the RAAF, achieving more than 9000

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Aspen Island in Canberra is renamed to Queen Elizabeth II Island in recognition of the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.
ADF People 

Extraordinary service recognised through Queen’s birthday honours

15/06/202217/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2903 Views 0 Comments Honours List

CAPTION: Aspen Island in Canberra is renamed to Queen Elizabeth II Island in recognition of the Platinum Jubilee of Her

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MQ-9 Reaper. US Air Force photo.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

MQ-9B SkyGuardian cancelled

04/04/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6069 Views 0 Comments MQ-9B Sky Guardian

What some people at first thought was an April fools’ joke, has now been confirmed by Defence – the project

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Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk makes its maiden flight. Photo supplied by Northrop Grumman.
Asia News Science & Technology 

Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk makes first flight

18/04/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2267 Views 0 Comments

Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully completed the first flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk on 15 April 2021 from Palmdale, California.

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Royal Australian Air Force crew from No. 11 Squadron load an ATM-84J Harpoon on to their P-8A Poseidon at Marine Corps Base Hawaii before a live-fire opportunity during RIMPAC 18. Photo by Corporal Nicci Freeman.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

RAAF buys two more P-8A Poseidon

30/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6143 Views 0 Comments

RAAF’s maritime patrol capability will be boosted by two P-8A Poseidon surveillance and response aircraft, bringing the total fleet to 14.

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Mitsubishi Motors Australia range
ADF Australian News Veterans 

Mitsubishi announces fleet-discounts for ADF and veterans

26/11/202022/03/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 29350 Views 26 Comments

Mitsubishi has announced an Armed Forces Discount program that offers national fleet pricing to ADF and veterans on any Mitsubishi vehicle.

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An M-113 armoured recovery vehicle from Army's 1st Combat Service Support Battalion tows Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion A9-658 'cross-country' during its relocation to the front gate of RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.
Australian Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Videos 

Orion makes last epic journey at Edinburgh

05/11/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2959 Views 0 Comments

In recognition of 50 years service, a decommissioned AP-3C Orion now takes pride of place at the RAAF Base Edinburgh front gate.

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A P-8A Poseidon off the South Australian coast. Photo by Corporal Bill Solomou.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

RAAF’s 12th and final Poseidon delivered

13/12/201906/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3955 Views 1 Comment

Australia’s newest maritime surveillance aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, arrived at its new home at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, about

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Air Warfare Destroyer HMAS Hobart successfully fires a Harpoon Blast Test Vehicle in the East Australian Exercise Area, proving the capability of the ship to launch Harpoon missiles. Photo by Leading Seaman Peter Thompson.
ADF Australian News 

2019 Federal Budget – Defence

02/04/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3273 Views 0 Comments

Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Minister for Defence Industry have released a statement on the 2019-2020 Federal Budget… The 2019–20

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An MQ-4C Triton arrives at Naval Base Ventura County, California, after a flight from Palmdale that was remotely controlled from NAS Pax River. US Navy photo by Public Affairs Specialist Theresa Miller.
CONTACT BLOG SPOT Sir Jeffrey Armiger 

Minister gets aircraft name wrong in new announcement

29/03/201929/03/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3487 Views 0 Comments

In June last year, CONTACT ran a story under the headline “Australia commits to Triton – confusion over cost” – so

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Gulfstream image
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

RAAF buys four MC-55A Peregrine – for $2.46billion

18/03/201918/03/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 14381 Views 1 Comment

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne and Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds today announced the acquisition of four modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft – to be designated the MC-55A Peregrine

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An MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft in flight. US Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt.
ADF Australian News Science & Technology 

Australia’s first Robotics Roadmap launched

18/06/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3381 Views 0 Comments Robotics Roadmap

Launched today at Parliament House, Australia’s very first Robotics Roadmap is set to strengthen national defence through guiding and supporting

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A RAAF P-8A Poseidon passes HMAS Darwin . Photo by Leading Seaman Peter Thompson.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

RAAF declares ‘Initial Operating Capability’ for P-8A Poseidon

21/03/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4564 Views 0 Comments P-8A Poseidon

Australia’s new maritime surveillance aircraft the P-8A Poseidon has achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC), five months ahead of the original

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Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans 

HARS makes history receiving a working AP-3C Orion

04/11/201719/11/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6303 Views 1 Comment AP-3C Orion, HARS, Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

On December 12, 2016, the Lockheed AP-3C Orion A9-753 was delivered to HARS Headquarters at Albion Park, New South Wales,

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A47-001 the first RAAF Poseidon aircraft gets a water canon welcome to its home Base, RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology 

Eau de politician washed off shiny new jet

23/11/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4744 Views 0 Comments P-8A Poseidon

On 17 November 2016 the first RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft landed at RAAF Base Edinburgh – and the

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Australia's first P-8A Poseidon aircraft at Defence Establishment Fairbairn parked next to an 11 Squadron P-3 Orion, the aircraft it will replace. Photo by Flight Sergeant Kev Berriman.
Australian News Royal Australian Air Force 

Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon arrives in Canberra

16/11/201616/11/2016 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5960 Views 0 Comments P-8A Poseidon

Australia’s newest addition to our airforce, the P-8A Poseidon, touched down in Canberra today. CAPTION: Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon at

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