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.

On December 10, the Royal Australian Navy became the first international operator of the Sikorsky Seahawk MH-60R “Romeo” anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter.

With the removal of 3RAR’s jump status in 2012, the Australian Army no longer has a conventional parachute-infantry force and the only combat units to retain a parachute capability are the Special Air Services Regiment and the 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments.

Back in 2009, The Government’s white paper on aviation saw little advantage in Airservices Australia and Defence providing separate air navigation services in Australia. With major equipment upgrades due this year the then Labor Government saw an “ideal opportunity” to synchronise and harmonise these air traffic services.

With the RAAF’s C-130J medium transport fleet having recently completed a significant block upgrade, planning is under way for another such capability enhancement but a third is likely to be deferred for at least two years.

After a long and challenging introduction to service the MRH 90 Taipan Multi-Role Helicopter is now showing signs of maturity and has recently achieved two significant milestones, but the program is running three years behind schedule and has been a Project of Concern (PoC) since November 2011.

Last year it was announced that the RAAF’s Hawk 127 lead-in fighter trainers are to be upgraded to a configuration based on the so-called new generation T2 model Hawk 128 flown by the UK Royal Air Force.

The Interim Basic Flying Training (IBFT) course that BAE Systems Australia runs at Tamworth has turned out to be more than just a gap filler as the ADF brings together Air 5428. The site is now home to a multinational cohort of students for both rotary and fixed wing training.

Airbus Military has chalked up significant sales in the Asia-Pacific region and in 2012 it sold its C-295 Medium transport in Indonesia and became the preferred bidder for an Indian Air Force order for six airborne tankers. It also recently signed an agreement with Indonesian Aerospace for the development of an updated version of the C-212 light transport, known as the NC-212i.

Twenty years after first being contracted, the RAAF’s Vigilare air defence command and control system (Project Air 5333) has achieved final operational capability (FOC); one suspects with sighs of relief from all concerned.

Although ownership moved from Australia to the US in 2006, Aerosonde has retained its Australian footprint and continues to develop and assemble its small, long-endurance UAVs in a suburban Melbourne facility.

When asked at the recent Avalon Airshow, whether they thought unmanned combat aircraft would play a part in the future fighter force of the Royal Australian Air Force, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown and Defence Minister Stephen Smith both left the door ajar for armed UAVs.

The 12th Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition was held on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi between 26th and 30th March and attracted over 70 aircraft from eight countries, and 64 warships and boats.

Delays in air defence target system programs appear to be endemic – ask anyone who followed the progress of the UK’s Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) or who continues to keep tabs on the ADF’s JP66 Phase 1 – Aerial Defence Target System (ADTS).