Weltnachrichten – AU – RAAF F-35As reach initial operational readiness

Lockheed Martin F-35As in service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have reached initial operational readiness (IOC). .

The IOC achievement means F-35As operated by the RAAF’s 3 Sqn are now operational.

« The fifth generation F-35A, along with the [Horn] F / A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, is the key to our air combat capabilities and is critical to achieving the goals set in the Defense 2020 Strategic Update to shape, deter, and respond, ”said Secretary of Defense Melissa Price.

“For the past two years, Defense has rigorously tested the F-35A fleet to evaluate aircraft and system performance and to explain this important milestone. ”

Achieving an IOC for the F-35 in 2020 has been a long-standing goal of the RAAF. The IOC provides the ability to deploy weapons such as the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missile, the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, the Joint Direct Attack ammunition, small-diameter bombs and the internal 25mm cannon.

The IOC comes a little over two years after 3 Sqn received its first F-35A in September 2018.

« This IOC heralds a new era in Australian air power that gives the RAAF transformational and breakthrough capabilities, » said Joe North, CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia.

“Lockheed Martin congratulates the RAAF as Original Equipment Manufacturer and Leading Partner for the sustainability of the Australian F-35A fleet on reaching this milestone. We are ready to support the fleet with our industrial partners. ”

Cirium fleet data indicates the RAAF has 30 F-35As in service. The total requirement is 72 examples.

Boeing Australia Airpower Teaming System’s loyal wingman aircraft is getting closer to its maiden flight after completing its first high-speed taxi test.

A Boeing F / A-18A « Classic » Hornette, formerly operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), drove on the road to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Canberra plans to upgrade communications and mission systems equipment on board its fleet of Airbus Defense Space A330 multi-purpose tanker transports (MRTTs). . The project will bring the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) locally designated KC-30A fleet up to the latest standard for this type, says Airbus. . . .

Leonardo delivered the first two M-345 jet trainers to the Italian Air Force as service begins replacing its fleet of older Aermacchi MB-339s.

NH Industries has flown the first transport variants of the frigate and troop transports of the NH90 helicopter destined for Qatar.

L3Harris has won a $ 496 million engineering and manufacturing development contract to continue work on the US Navy’s next generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) project.

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