Voting
?What about new design for our website
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
Voting Number 1647
- Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends specialised demonstrations by 22nd cohort of UAE National Service Programme at Sweihan Training Centre
- Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses display of skills of National Service Programme recruits
- 44 Interns Join Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Internship in Abu Dhabi
- DCI’s OCA Steers MDO Command Course
- EDGE Recognised as ‘Best Company to Work For’ at the Employee Happiness Awards 2025
- Raytheon and Northrop Grumman Achieve Milestone in Next-Gen Interceptor Rocket Motor Tests
- SMARTSHOOTER Secures USD13 M U.S. Army Contract for Fire Control Systems
- L3Harris Boosts Space Force Defences with Mobile Satellite Comms Jammer
- MH-139A Concludes Nuclear Transport Training Exercise
- EDGE Signs MoU to Localise Maintenance Capabilities of Thales’ Advanced Optronic Systems in the UAE
- Babcock Wins Contract to Support Nuclear Submarine Defueling Operations
- Embraer to Offer Gogo Galileo HDX In-Flight Connectivity for Phenom 300
- Germany to Acquire Joint Strike Missiles for F-35s in Deal with Kongsberg
- BAE Systems to Build 10 Missile Warning Satellites Under U.S. Space Force Deal
- EDGE Signs Record-Breaking AED 9 Billion Naval Contract with Kuwait Ministry of Defence
- Hamdan bin Mohammed attends graduation ceremony of 43rd cohort of Zayed II Military College in Al Ain
- Saab Showcases Locally Developed Coast Control Radar at Make it in the Emirates 2025
- EDGE Entity EPI Receives Prestigious Accreditation from EIAC for Calibration
- Make it in the Emirates 2025 Concludes Successful Day Three under the Theme of Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and Artificial Intelligence
- Tawazun Council and Thales Sign Agreement to Establish Ground Master Air Surveillance Radar Production Facility in UAE
2021-06-01
Royal Australian Air Force Marks Centenary in Style
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) marked recently 100 years since its foundation. In those 100 years, the RAAF has grown from humble beginnings into a highly capable, world-class Air Force, supporting operations and personnel at home and around the globe.
The origins of the Royal Australian Air Force extend back to the early days of aviation, and it has made important contributions to defence and peacekeeping initiatives across the globe ever since.
The Australian Air Corps (a temporary Army unit) was disbanded and the Australian Air Force (AAF) created on March 31, 1921. The AAF immediately took possession of existing aircraft and equipment at Point Cook. Later in the year on August 13, following receipt of approval from the King, the Governor General signed an order authorising the use of ‘Royal’ making this the start date for the use of the Royal Australian Air Force name.
Below is a look at 10 iconic aircraft in RAAF’s history:
1. The General Dynamics F-111C
At number one in the countdown is the most iconic aircraft, the General Dynamics F-111C.
Arriving in Australia in 1973, the ‘Pig,’ termed so due to its long snout and terrain-following ability and was the fastest aircraft the Force ever operated.
Its innovated swing-wing design allowed it to fly at a top speed of Mach 2.5, or two and a half times the speed of sound.
A favourite at air displays for decades, it doesn’t get more iconic than an F-111 dump and burn.
The first F-111C was handed over to the RAAF on September 4, 1968, but problems with the wing carry-through box (the advanced wing sweep mechanism) delayed delivery to Australia. The aircraft remained stored at General Dynamics until final acceptance in 1973.
For part of this period, 24 F-4E Phantoms were leased to Australia to provide an interim attack capability, until aircrew and maintenance personnel were finally deployed to the U.S. to convert to type and ferry the F-111s back to Australia.
The first of four delivery flights, led by Group Captain J.W. Newham (later Chief of Air Staff) and Wing Commander (later Air Commodore) T.C. Owen in A8-125, finally arrived at Amberley on June 1, 1973. The last of the delivery flights arrived on December 4.
2. Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
The F-35A Lightning II is the fifth-generation multi-role fighter that – in conjunction with the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler – is the backbone of Australia’s air combat capability.
It incorporates comprehensive stealth technology, electronic protection and attack, and advanced countermeasures.
Its fused, multi-spectral sensors and advanced networking capabilities provide an unprecedented level of situation awareness.
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the USAF and other air forces. Although the F-35A currently conducts aerial refuelling via boom and receptacle method, the aircraft can be modified for probe-and-drogue refuelling if needed by the customer.
More than a fighter jet, the F-35’s ability to collect, analyse and share data, is a powerful force multiplier that enhances all airborne, surface and ground-based assets in the battlespace.
3. Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules
Next in the countdown is an aircraft the Force has been flying for more than 60 years! At number three, it’s the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules.
The introduction of the C-130A Hercules in 1958 was a transport and logistics game-changer, with its rear cargo door allowing pallets to load and unload whatever needed to be transported rapidly.
The creation of the C-130 Hercules came about largely as a result of America’s experience in the Korean War. U.S. forces fighting along the 38th parallel dividing North and South Korea quickly discovered that their aerial transports were ill-equipped for the missions at hand. Some were too heavy.
Some needed longer runways for takeoffs and landings. Others had weight restrictions, which prevented them from transporting bulky supplies or large numbers of soldiers.
Some needed longer runways for takeoffs and landings. Others had weight restrictions, which prevented them from transporting bulky supplies or large numbers of soldiers.
What the U.S. military needed was a single versatile aircraft that could be used for any and all transportation needs—one aircraft that would perform the role of many. This is precisely what Lockheed’s Hercules accomplished.
With a sweeping array of 23 cockpit windows allowing for clear visibility on steep approaches and high wings to operate from rough fields, the original C-130 Hercules was the antithesis of the sleek, speedy jets of its day.
The people of the Congo, Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Japan, and points all over the world, including New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, have all benefitted from the C-130’s unparalleled delivery and airdrop capabilities, whether acting as a flying hospital or delivering hay to cows marooned by a snowstorm.
4. Bell Iroquois UH-1
At number four in the countdown is an aircraft unlike any other on this list: the Bell Iroquois UH-1 “Huey”.
As the first helicopter to be powered by a jet turbine engine the Huey was a game changer, enabling close support to ground forces as well as search and rescue and medevac operations during the Vietnam War.
When this aircraft entered service in the U.S. Army in 1961 it was known as the HU-1, which led to the rise of the nickname “Huey”.
Several upgrades are available on the Huey to help operational efficiency and safety:
Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) – Designed for aircraft that operate over land and water. It offers industry leading design reliability and performance, with the lowest cost of ownership and best delivered value for aircraft operation.
Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) - Low weight, small footprint, easy installation, high reliability, low life cycle cost, low maintenance, high resolution, accurate and free databases.
Weather Radar - Features long-range detection, ground mapping and advanced weather analysis capabilities to detect and re-route around storms.
Satellite Communications - A wide range of hardware, software and service solutions available depending on mission requirements.
5. de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
At number five is a long-serving workhorse ideal for getting in and out of tight spaces: the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou.
The DHC-4 Caribou was designed to provide military operators with a twin-engine STOL (Short Take off & Landing) cargo transport aircraft, with greater capacity than that of the DHC-3 Otter. The type also offered a rear loading capability.
The prototype DHC-4 Caribou (CF-KTK-X) was flown for the first time on 30th July 1958.
Like the DHC-3 Otter, the Caribou is a rugged STOL aircraft which is ideally suited for operations from unprepared remote airfields and boasts a capacity of up to 32 troops, or some 8,000 lbs of payload.
Arriving in 1964, the Caribou was immediately sent into service in the Vietnam War carrying troops and supplies to rugged, inaccessible airfields near the frontlines.
It continued to operate for the next 45 years across the Indian-Pacific region, often delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief to areas other aircraft could not access.
6. E-7A Wedgetail
At number six is the radar superstar in the sky: the E-7A Wedgetail.
The E-7A Wedgetail provides Australia with one of the most advanced air battlespace management capabilities in the world.
Based at RAAF Base Williamtown, six E-7A Wedgetails significantly improve the effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force. They are capable of communicating with other aircraft and providing air control from the sky, and can cover four million square kilometres during a single 10-hour mission.
The E-7A Wedgetail has participated in Exercise Bersama Lima, Cope North, Red Flag, and Pitch Black. It is currently deployed on Operation OKRA.
The Final Operational Capability for the E-7A Wedgetail platform was announced in May 2015.
The E-7A Wedgetail is based on a Boeing 737-700, with the addition of an advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles which can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously.
It is a highly advanced aircraft, providing an airborne early warning and control platform that can gather information from a wide variety of sources, analyse it, and distribute it to other assets.
Did you know an Australian Air Force Wedgetail crew is able to monitor a four million square kilometre area and coordinate more than 60 aircraft over a single 10 hour mission?
7. Catalina
At number 7, is an amphibious icon: the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina.
Originally intended as a long range patrol bomber, the Catalina was one of the most versatile aircraft in service during World War II, used for everything from reconnaissance missions to air-sea rescues.
Did you know after the fall of Singapore, RAAF crews flying Catalinas were used to establish the world’s longest regular non-stop service between Perth and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to carry essential diplomatic and armed forces mail?
With an average flight time of 28 hours, this top secret service was known as the ‘Double Sunrise’.
The prototype XPBY-1 first flew in 1935 and the PBY-1 entered United States Navy service in 1936. Progressive developments followed, and in 1939 the PBY-4 appeared with large blister gun-turrets on the fuselage sides.
In 1940, the PBY-5 version was ordered for the RAAF as the Catalina, a name derived from the island near the consolidated factory at San Diego. The flying-boat was already familiar in Australia, as P.G. Taylor had used the civilian PBY, named ‘Guba’, in 1939 to survey the alternative Indian Ocean route.
8. Avro Lancaster
Number eight in the countdown of the most iconic RAAF aircraft is the Avro Lancaster.
Entering production in 1942, the Lancaster was a vital heavy bomber in the European theatre of World War II. Thousands of Australians like Flying Officer Ray Merrill DFC (retired) flew dozens of sorties in the ‘Lanc’, carrying out crucial Bomber Command air raids and helping to secure victory against Germany.
Have you heard of the “G for George” Lancaster at the Australian War Memorial? Flown by No. 460 Squadron RAAF Bomber Command, the aircraft flew 90 operational missions over Germany and occupied Europe before its retirement from active service in 1944.
The Avro Lancaster is officially described as a mid-wing, cantilever monoplane with an all-metal fuselage. The wings were constructed in five main sections, as was the fuselage. All the main sections were built separately, often at different locations. All the required equipment was fitted before transport to various sites for final assembly.
Initially, Lancaster was powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin water-cooled piston engines driving de Havilland Hydromatic three-bladed airscrews, with a retractable main landing gear and fixed tail-wheel.
In March 1946, an Avro Lancastrian of BSAA flew the first scheduled flight from the then new London Heathrow Airport with other routes stretching as far as Australia.
9. S.E.5A
At Number nine in the countdown of the most iconic RAAF aircraft is the one that helped start it all, the S.E.5A.
When the Royal Australian Air Force was formed on 31 March 1921, the S.E.5A was part of Britain’s imperial gift to help establish the new organisation.
As a first fighter aircraft, Australian aircrews flew the S.E.5A in combat during World War I before its transition into a crucial training platform during the 1920s.
As a first fighter aircraft, Australian aircrews flew the S.E.5A in combat during World War I before its transition into a crucial training platform during the 1920s.
In 1922, a flight of S.E.5A flew to Sydney (an event in those days!) and stole the show at one of the first aerial pageants.
In 1925, S.E.5A were taken on strength by Nos 1 and 3 Squadrons, forming the fighter flights of these composite squadrons. Reconditioned and resplendent in silver finish, the fighters served with distinction, and were always the star turns at aerial pageants.
10. F/A-18A/B Hornet
Last but not the least is a true icon of the skies that’s given nearly 35 years of service, the F/A-18A/B “Classic” Hornet.
The F/A-18A (single seat) and F/A-18B (twin seat) Hornets are multi-role fighter aircraft, capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. They are an integral part of Australia’s air combat capability.
Based at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal, the F/A-18A/B Hornets are operated by:
- Number 75 Squadron, RAAF Base Tindal; and
- Number 77 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown.
The Hornets have participated in a range of exercises including Exercise Bersama Lima and Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia, Exercise Red Flag in Alaska, and Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory.
The fleet have undergone major electronic upgrades to ensure effective operations.
Big Day
March 31, 2021 turned out to be a big day for the RAAF.
From ceremonial events around the country, to RAAF’s Centenary Flypast in Canberra, the day proved to be an opportunity for the entire RAAF team to reflect on its journey from modest beginnings in 1921 into the world-class Air Force which Australia relies upon in both conflict and peace today.
Reference Text/Photo:
Visitors Comments
Related Topics
.
No Comments