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

[Stampede]

Hi all

A question as to the delivery status of the KC 30A MRTT.
We have five with two more to be delivered.
I think of the two extra, one is delivered but unsure about the other. (Aircraft No 7 )
My understanding one of these was to have some VIP seating while still retaining the full refuelling capability.
As to an additional 2 for a total of nine this appears to be in the maybe in the future basket.
Any updates please!



Regards S

 

[toryu]

I think of the two extra, one is delivered but unsure about the other. (Aircraft No 7 )

Hi Stampede,

A39-007 VIP fit-out was observed taking place around July 2018. The aircraft was apparently delivered to the RAAF in May 2019.

ADF Serials - Airbus MRTT
Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley - Australian Aviation
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-007-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/KXpohr9

Unsure of any further development regarding options 8 and 9 since being mentioned in the white paper. Not heard a peep!

 

[Redlands18]

Hi Stampede,

A39-007 VIP fit-out was observed taking place around July 2018. The aircraft was apparently delivered to the RAAF in May 2019.

ADF Serials - Airbus MRTT
Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley - Australian Aviation
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-007-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/KXpohr9

Unsure of any further development regarding options 8 and 9 since being mentioned in the white paper. Not heard a peep!

If I remember correctly the extra KC-30s was marked down for the early 2020s so a bit early yet.

 

[Redlands18]

Hi Stampede,

A39-007 VIP fit-out was observed taking place around July 2018. The aircraft was apparently delivered to the RAAF in May 2019.

ADF Serials - Airbus MRTT
Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley - Australian Aviation
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-007-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/KXpohr9

Unsure of any further development regarding options 8 and 9 since being mentioned in the white paper. Not heard a peep!

Incorrect, the non VIP KC-30 was delivered May 2019 and the VIP Jet is due to arrive late 2019 according to that article.

 

[toryu]

Incorrect, the non VIP KC-30 was delivered May 2019 and the VIP Jet is due to arrive late 2019 according to that article.

Maybe take just one full minute and read the information presented to you? Clearly the schedule changed given the information provided in the other links. I only provided the middle link (of an old article) to show that it was the second air frame that was to receive the fit-out, nothing more.

https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-006-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/NxlksOo
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-007-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/KXpohr9

REG: A39-007, AIRLINE: Royal Australian Air Force, DELIVERED: May 2019

 

[Stampede]

Maybe take just one full minute and read the information presented to you? Clearly the schedule changed given the information provided in the other links. I only provided the middle link (of an old article) to show that it was the second air frame that was to receive the fit-out, nothing more.

https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-006-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/NxlksOo
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-007-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/KXpohr9

Thanks all for the update and response.

Regards S

 

[Richo99]

Maybe take just one full minute and read the information presented to you? Clearly the schedule changed given the information provided in the other links. I only provided the middle link (of an old article) to show that it was the second air frame that was to receive the fit-out, nothing more.

https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-006-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/NxlksOo
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A330/A39-007-Royal-Australian-Air-Force/KXpohr9

There has been zero news in either the general or defence media regarding the arrival of 007 in-country which is rather unusual if it has happened. News of the Falcon 7X arrivals were widely reported.

And then there is this:

"The company will also support an Airbus Defence & Space A330 Multi-role Tanker Transport (MRTT) specially equipped for VIP use that will arrive later this year."

Northrop to support RAAF VIP fleet

I wonder if 'ownership' of the aircraft has been transferred to the RAAF whilst the fitting of the VIP cabin is still underway in Spain, with the delivery flight to Australia yet to come later this year, as per the original schedule. This would mean whilst technically delivered to the RAAF, it is not yet operational.

 

[Stampede]

There has been zero news in either the general or defence media regarding the arrival of 007 in-country which is rather unusual if it has happened. News of the Falcon 7X arrivals were widely reported.

And then there is this:

"The company will also support an Airbus Defence & Space A330 Multi-role Tanker Transport (MRTT) specially equipped for VIP use that will arrive later this year."

Northrop to support RAAF VIP fleet

I wonder if 'ownership' of the aircraft has been transferred to the RAAF whilst the fitting of the VIP cabin is still underway in Spain, with the delivery flight to Australia yet to come later this year, as per the original schedule. This would mean whilst technically delivered to the RAAF, it is not yet operational.

Richo99

The defence website lists six aircraft.
My reading is one still in Spain fitting out.
I think your ownership question is valid.

Regards S

 

[Trackmaster]

Richo99

The defence website lists six aircraft.
My reading is one still in Spain fitting out.
I think your ownership question is valid.

Regards S

A39-007 is now at Amberley.
The aircraft spent a couple of days at NG at Brisbane airport.

Image from Queensland Aircraft Photographers.

 

[Stampede]

A39-007 is now at Amberley.
The aircraft spent a couple of days at NG at Brisbane airport.
View attachment 46717
Image from Queensland Aircraft Photographers.

Thanks for the Pic and post.
Ok .......Seven aircraft in country
Ta

Regards S

 

[Redlands18]

Thanks for the Pic and post.
Ok .......Seven aircraft in country
Ta

Regards S

Wonder if the PM will plan an OS trip soon to have a ride in her

 

[toryu]

A39-007 is now at Amberley.
The aircraft spent a couple of days at NG at Brisbane airport.

Thanks for backing this up. Yes, the difference between 'ownership' and 'operational' is often glossed over and can often be a few months apart. Thankfully we can always rely on those crazily dedicated spotters for actual facts rather than the media who typically only bother with click-attractive content.

 

[Stampede]

Wonder if the PM will plan an OS trip soon to have a ride in her

I'm sure it will happen one day.
The Aircraft are to serve the nation in many ways.


Regards S

 

[John Newman]

Two more RAAF F-35A quietly slipped into Oz this week, -015 and -016 arrived at Williamtown a couple of days ago.

The RAAF now has 16 F-35A (10 based in the US and 6 based here), another two are due before the end of the year bringing the total to 18 airframes.

Next year is a big one for the RAAF, another 15 F-35A will be delivered by end of 2020, bringing the total to 33.

Cheers,

PS, I also read recently that RAAF F-35As have had an availability rate of at least 10% better than the rest of the global fleet, good job boys and girls of the RAAF! Keep it up!!

 

[hairyman]

How long will the RAAF keep 10 F 35 Lightnings in the USA for?

 

[John Newman]

How long will the RAAF keep 10 F 35 Lightnings in the USA for?

My understanding is that by end of next year, 2020, all 33 delivered airframes will be based here in Oz.

We've currently got 3SQN transitioning with airframes based here in Oz and in the US.

No 2OCU will end Classic Hornet operations late this year to start their transition, by end of next year both 3SQN and 2OCU will be back here with a pool of 33 airframes between them and be at IOC. Next cab of the rank is 77SQN WIlliamtown and lastly 75SQN Tindal.

The delivery schedule is: 18 by end of this year, another 15 by end of next year 2020, another 15 in 2021, another 15 in 2022 and the last 9 by end of 2023 (bringing the total to 72).

Cheers,

 

[toryu]

Two more RAAF F-35A quietly slipped into Oz this week, -015 and -016 arrived at Williamtown a couple of days ago.

Thank you for the update John, I missed it. I'd checked images.defence late last week but they are often a bit slow in pushing out the pics!

 

[Stampede]

Noticed today that the PM flew into Washington today on his ( Our ) new MRTT.
As the boom was attached, I'm wondering if this component can be easily be removed; or is it a permanent structure to remain an integral part of the aircraft for the remainder of its life.
I realise that the MRTT is a tanker first and a PM bus second.

Interested to know?

Regards S

 

[Beam]

Noticed today that the PM flew into Washington today on his ( Our ) new MRTT.
As the boom was attached, I'm wondering if this component can be easily be removed; or is it a permanent structure to remain an integral part of the aircraft for the remainder of its life.
I realise that the MRTT is a tanker first and a PM bus second.

Interested to know?

Regards S

I hear the air force is using the call sign "Shark One" when the PM is on board.

 

[Takao]

Noticed today that the PM flew into Washington today on his ( Our ) new MRTT.
As the boom was attached, I'm wondering if this component can be easily be removed; or is it a permanent structure to remain an integral part of the aircraft for the remainder of its life.
I realise that the MRTT is a tanker first and a PM bus second.

Interested to know?

Regards S

That one is tanker first, comms second, VIP third. On paper.

I'll let other people determine who would win in a fight between the Air Component Commander and the PM's Office....