Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[MARKMILES77]

Minister for Defence Industry gave a speech Today, which gave updates on a number of Defence related projects including Ghostbat.

https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/speeches/2025-08-19/address-queensland-media-club-delivering-australias-defence-capability

Didn't mention whether the "improved capabilities" includes a weapons bay but would think likely.

 

[MARKMILES77]

Also moving ahead with smaller drones:

 

[hauritz]

Also moving ahead with smaller drones:View attachment 53347

I am always curious about these small start up companies so I looked up AMSL Aero. They recieved a grant to develop and demonstrate liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft for regional and remote Australia.

News & Media | Vertiia

www.amslaero.com

 

[MARKMILES77]

Some great images of the RAAF Peregrine courtesy of SR_Planespotter on X.

https://x.com/SR_Planespotter/status/1960030144455975341

 

[DDG38]

For those who try to avoid clicking on Twitter cesspool links Image credit to SR_Planespotter

 

[seaspear]

Interesting post from Warzone with the U.S Poseidon deploying a radar system capable of being lowered past engines to increase coverage ,the picture was taken by a Russian pilot over the Black Sea, naturally first thoughts are of advantages to the R.A.A.F for its own Poseidon aircraft in having such a radar

Navy P-8 Poseidon Carrying Secretive Radar Pod Seen In Russian Fighter’s Intercept Video

The radar-based AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor pod is seen extended below the P-8’s fuselage on a rare mission over the Black Sea. The radar-based AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor pod is seen extended below the P-8’s fuselage on a mission over the Black Sea.

www.twz.com

Rare Image Shows P-8 Poseidon’s Advanced Airborne Sensor Extended

A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon was intercepted over the Black Sea, with a video recorded by a Russian pilot showing the APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor

theaviationist.com

 

[AndyinOz]

I suspect that the RAAF has had a pretty good look at it for a while now, mention was made of it being used on aircraft during Talisman Sabre 2025, ( Record Talisman Sabre exercise | The Australian Naval Institute ) though I am sure it was fairly well known about even before then since the first flight of it was notified back in 2015. ( https://www.navair.navy.mil/node/16226 ) it is interesting to see it deployed like that away from the body of the aircraft I imagine that helps the apparently double sided AESA radar give 360 degree or near enough coverage of the airspace. TWZ made mention of the system back in 2020 but there wasn't any images of it deployed away from the fuselage like that. (Navy P-8 With Secretive Radar Pod Surveils Massive Chinese Naval Base In South China Sea)