AIR FORCE FAST MOVERS

For many, an airshow isn’t an airshow without the chestrattling thunder of the latest generation Royal Australian Air Force fast jets. Luckily for AIRSHOW 2023 visitors, the Australian Defence Force is determined to show the Australian public the unique flying capabilities of the aircraft that secure our nation, and Avalon is the ideal place to do it.

The Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army will together display or fly more than 20 aircraft, at least one of almost every type operated, from uncrewed aerial vehicles and training helicopters to aerial tankers, transport aircraft and fast jets, including the F-35A Lightning II.

“The Australian International Airshow 2023 provides significant opportunity to display the ADF’s capabilities and future concepts in a collaborative and integrated manner to Government, military allies and partners, Defence industry, and the Australian public,” said an Air Force spokesperson.

They will cover the major tasks performed by ADF aircraft, from air combat to air mobility, strike, reconnaissance and air training.

The flying program will include the Australian Defence Force Showcase, a 60-minute display highlighting ADF capability in a simulated operational environment. This will involve seven aircraft types from the F-35A to Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopters, plus ground vehicles and pyrotechnics. It will be the closest most Australians will ever come to seeing these highly capable aircraft in action.

The ADF will also fly solo displays with the MH-60R, F-35A and F/A-18F Super Hornet, with night displays by the C-130J Hercules and E-7A Wedgetail as part of the Friday Night Alight program, and formation aerobatics with the Roulettes display team in its Pilatus PC-21s. But it won’t just be about aircraft. Air Force, Navy and Army will make the point that a crewed, fuelled, armed aircraft on the tarmac is the visible result of a logistics, training and support train that encompasses a myriad of tasks and capabilities.

Australian Army CH-47 Chinooks were a hit in 2019, performing a demonstration insertion and extraction of ground troops in an operational simulation.

From top: The Roulettes formation aerobatic team help inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. Image courtesy of Defence; The Royal Australian Navy’s MH-60R “Romeo” is one of the most advanced military helicopters in the world; The International Military Drone Racing Tournament will be a crowd favourite at AIRSHOW 2023. Image courtesy of Defence.

So alongside the Lightnings, Hornets, Chinooks and Poseidon will be ground displays on vehicles, equipment, and importantly, personnel.

This will include Combat Support elements such as rescue and firefighting services, security, aeromedical evacuation and explosive ordnance. The Air Force Pavilion will feature a museum exhibit highlighting Air Force people throughout history, while the crowd favourite Bone and Drone Zone will host the International Military Drone Racing Tournament, plus Military Working Dog and Australian Border Force Dog displays.

Specialist marquees and displays will highlight sea and land capability, a Tactical Air Operations Tower, phased array radar systems and Air Force and Army Cadets, including the Diamond DA-40 aircraft and glider in which Cadets gain air experience.

And with the new Space Command also on show, Air Force will demonstrate the capability of Australia’s defence force, while offering a pointer to the future.