Aircraft
Australia Boosts Capability With Trio of ISR Platforms
Fleet now includes MQ-4C Triton, MC-55A Peregrine and the P-8A Poseidon
Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon and MC-55A Peregrine aircraft
Royal Australian Air Force chief Air Marshal Stephen Chappell (center) briefed reporters at Edinburgh air base about progress in boosting the service's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. © Australian Ministry of Defence

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.

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