The first two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force are due to roll off the assembly line in Texas on July 24.

Most of the RAAF’s 12 EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft will not be delivered until mid-2016, but four aircrews are already flying the type in the US and RAAF specialists are now embedded in US Navy (USN) electronic warfare (EW) support organisations.

A quiet evolution has been occurring throughout the ADF over the last few years as the Directorate General Technical Airworthiness reforms the regulatory process to better align for the future.

At a time when many SMEs in the defence industry are suffering from a slowdown in Defence contracts, Nowra-based aviation company Air Affairs Australia has bucked the trend by purchasing a second special mission Learjet 35A and are just completing a third purpose-built hangar at its facility in the Albatross Aviation Technology Park adjacent to HMAS Albatross.

While the RAAF is contemplating delivery later this decade of Triton Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) boasting wingspans of nearly 40 metres, the DSTO is meanwhile studying the complex interaction of air flow over the infinitely smaller wings of insects.

Rumours of a project to acquire an armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the ADF being included in the Defence Capability Plan (DCP), due in the first quarter of 2015, have recently gained momentum following a recent speech by Deputy Chief of Air Force (DCAF), Air Vice Marshal Gavin Davies.

Held between February 11 and 16, the 2014 Singapore Air Show attracted more than one thousand companies from 147 countries and highlighted capabilities and products from across Asia and the western world, including Australia.

Although Army hopes to declare Final Operational Capability (FOC) in early 2016 for its Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH), progress continues to be hampered by supply chain difficulties in Europe.

Australia will acquire eight Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, with options on four more, and has committed to the acquisition of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned system.

With the introduction into service of 12 EA-18G Growlers in 2018 or thereabouts, the RAAF will, for the first time, have an airborne electronic attack capability which will be able to disrupt or jam a range of military electronics systems, such as air defence systems.

The RAN’s new MH-60R combat helicopters will be able to operate with Mk54 torpedoes and AGM-114N Hellfire missiles from Hobart class air warfare destroyers (AWDs) from the time the ships are commissioned, although some alternative procedures will need to be used until the ships receive the “Romeo” modification after delivery.

Over the remainder of this decade, Australia’s Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orions will begin to be replaced by a mix of manned and unmanned platforms under the umbrella of Project Air 7000, but the transition needs to be carefully managed to ensure no shortfall in maritime ISR capability.

Last year was an important year for the international Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program as it continued to reduce risk and meet both internal and external challenges.

The maiden flight of the first Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan for the RAAF in mid-December marks a significant milestone in the ADF’s quest to acquire a Battlefield Airlift (BFA) capability.

Yet another delay to Air 5428 Phase 1 (Fixed Wing Pilot Training System); this time with the closing date of the long-awaited Request for Tender (RFT) pushed back six weeks from 17 February to 31 March.

In many respects Australia is leading the world in the introduction of new satellite and ground-based technologies in air traffic management. Further advances in these and other innovations are sure to emerge with the replacement of the current Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS) system by a combined civil/military system.