Current Royal Australian Air Force Aircraft
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This is a list of the current
Royal Australian Air Force "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
aircraft in operation:


Current aircraft


Heritage aircraft

Ownership of 12 historic aircraft was transferred from Temora Aviation Museum to the RAAF in July 2019; they continue to be maintained by museum staff but operated by the RAAF as the Temora Historic Flight with pilots inducted into the RAAF Reserve. No. 100 Squadron was reformed in March 2021 as the Air Force Heritage Squadron to operate airworthy
warbird A warbird is any vintage military aircraft now operated by civilian organizations and individuals, or in some instances, by historic arms of military forces, such as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAAF Museum Historic Flight, or th ...
s based at the
RAAF Museum RAAF Museum is the official museum of the Royal Australian Air Force, the second oldest air force in the world, located at RAAF Williams Point Cook, Victoria, Australia which is the oldest continuously operating Military Air Base in the world. T ...
and Temora.


Future acquisitions

* AIR 6000:
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions. It is also able to provide el ...
multirole fighter ** A possible total of 100 F-35As are to be purchased under Project Air 6000 to replace the Hornets and Super Hornets. *** AIR 6000, Phase 2A/2B, Stage 1: 14 F-35A fighters have been approved for purchase for service entry from 2014. *** AIR 6000, Phase 2A/2B, Stage 2: 58 F-35A fighters have been approved for purchase bringing total on order to 72 aircraft. Stage 1&2 will replace all F/A-18A/B fighters in service. *** AIR 6000, Phase 2C: around 28 additional F-35A fighters planned for purchase. These will replace all F/A-18F fighters in service. * AIR 7000: ADF Maritime ISR capability replacement ** Programme to replace the AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft with a crewed
MPA MPA or mPa may refer to: Academia Academic degrees * Master of Performing Arts * Master of Professional Accountancy * Master of Public Administration * Master of Public Affairs Schools * Mesa Preparatory Academy * Morgan Park Academy * Mou ...
/
UAV An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller ...
mix. *** AIR 7000, Phase 1B: Purchase of 7 high altitude, long endurance maritime surveillance
UAV An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller ...
. The MQ-4C Global Hawk was originally selected for the role, but the decision has been delayed until after the crewed portion is introduced. *** AIR 7000, Phase 2B: Purchase of 8
Boeing P-8A Poseidon The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and derived from the civilian Boeing 737-800. It was developed for the United States Navy (USN). T ...
crewed MPA has been given first-pass approval for service entry from 2018. * AIR 5428: Pilot Training System ** Programme to replace PC-9/A training aircraft and training syllabus. *** Air 5428, Phase 1: 49
Pilatus PC-21 The Pilatus PC-21 is a turboprop-powered advanced trainer with a stepped tandem cockpit. It is manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. Development In November 1997 Pilatus flew a modified PC-7 Mk.II in order to test improvements for a ...
ordered in 2015 for entry into service by 2019. *Project AIR 555: Gulfstream G550 **In late 2015 the RAAF ordered two Gulfstream G550 aircraft to be delivered by 30 November 2017. The aircraft will be used for signals and electronic intelligence gathering. Both
Australian Aviation ''Australian Aviation'' is an online and print aviation publication which has been owned by Momentum Media since 2020. It was established in 1977. History Founded by Jim Thorn in 1977, ''Australian Aviation'' was established as ''Australian ...
and
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have reported that the aircraft will possibly form the replacement for the electronic intelligence-gathering role performed by 2 of RAAF's AP-3 Orions. **In March 2019, Defence Minister Christopher Pyne claimed that Australia will acquire four modified Gulfstream G550 business jets to strengthen the country's electronic warfare capabilities. The $2.46 billion acquisition of the 4 G550s will be designated as the
MC-55A Peregrine The Gulfstream G550 is a business jet aircraft produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit in Savannah, Georgia, US. The certification designation is GV-SP. A version with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as the G500. Gulfstream ...
variant. It will be operated by the RAAF's Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (SRG).


See also

*
List of aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force Many aircraft types have served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) since it was formed in March 1921. This is a list of RAAF aircraft, those types that have served and been retired by the RAAF. It also includes aircraft of the Australian Fl ...
*
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in Australian service The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operates eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster III large transport aircraft. Four C-17s were ordered in mid-2006 to improve the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to operate outside Australia and its re ...
*
Lockheed C-130 Hercules in Australian service The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has operated forty-eight Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The type entered Australian service in December 1958, when No. 36 Squadron accepted the first of twelve C-130As, replacing its vene ...
* McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet in Australian service


Notes

:B


References


External links


Royal Australian Air Force website - Aircraft
{{DEFAULTSORT:Current Royal Australian Air Force Aircraft Australia current RAAF Aircraft * Royal Australian Air Force lists Aircraft in Royal Australian Air Force service
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...