Australia’s first MC-55A Peregrine superior digital warfare and surveillance plane has reportedly been delivered to the Royal Australian Air Power.
The plane – a modified Gulfstream G550 – reportedly arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia on 22 January this yr, in accordance with fans overlaying the arrival, after travelling from an L3Harris facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
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The brand new MC-55A Peregrine plane is predicted to be deployed with Royal Australian Air Power No. 10 Squadron after receiving its official Australian army serial quantity. As well as, the plane is predicted to supply new functionality to the RAAF, akin to digital warfare, in addition to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
A MC-55A Important Squadron Facility was beforehand opened at RAAF Base Edinburgh throughout a ceremony on 10 July 2024. The MSF is the primary future working facility for No 10 Squadron, supporting the MC-55A Peregrine plane and related programs.
Talking to The Australian final yr, L3Harris’ ISR president Jason Harris mentioned there are “a number of completely different intelligence amassing programs” on the plane.
“I can’t touch upon the particular functionality set, apart from the truth that it does have items of digital warfare and multi-mission strategic ISR gear,” he mentioned.
“There are different ‘missionised’ enterprise jets that different nations function, however I can say that that is the primary plane of its form with this quantity of functionality and quantity of sensor suite bundle on a enterprise jet. I’ll go even additional to say that, from an ISR functionality on this jet platform, there may be nothing else on the earth that matches the MC-55A Peregrine.
“What it offers within the strategic functionality, and command and management, together with with the ability to hyperlink property collectively and be a pressure multiplier for air, sea, area and floor forces, is de facto going to be a game-changer for the RAAF.”
The acquisition was accredited by the US State Division in 2025, with the US Protection Safety Cooperation Company saying it will “help the overseas coverage and nationwide safety goals of the USA”.
“The strategic location of this political and financial energy contributes considerably to making sure peace and financial stability within the area. It’s important to the US nationwide curiosity to help our ally in growing and sustaining a robust and prepared self-defence functionality.
“The proposed sale will enhance Australia’s functionality to take care of its fleet of MC-55A plane that enhances its potential to conduct efficient air operations and helps US operations within the area.”
L3 Harris and the Division of Defence have each been contacted for remark.
