Australia Boosts Capability With Trio of ISR Platforms

The Australian government has reported what it characterized as significant progress in boosting the country’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. A statement released on Tuesday, said that the MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine platforms have achieved initial operational capability, while the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has also now received the first examples of a higher specification version of the P-8A Poseidon.

According to defense minister Richard Marles, the Northop Grumman MQ-4C long-range ISR drone and the L3Harris MC-55A aircraft have completed extensive tests and evaluation this year. Both platforms operate from Edinburgh base in South Australia, respectively with the RAAF’s 9 and 10 squadrons, with the MQ-4C also flying from the Tindal base.

By year-end, L3Harris is expected to have delivered four examples of the MC-55A, which is based on a modified Gulfstream G550 business jet. This platform also provides electronic warfare capability.

In May, Boeing delivered the 14th example of the latest version of the P-8A for the RAAF’s maritime patrol and anti-surface warfare fleet. According to the defense ministry statement, the first of two P-8A upgraded to the same Increment 3 Block 2 standard for the U.S. Navy aircraft have also now arrived in Australia. 

The other 12 aircraft are to be upgraded to this specification by Boeing Defence Australia and local partners at the new Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at the Edinburgh air base. Australia’s Poseidon fleet are operated by the RAAF’s 11, 12 and 202 squadrons.