Over the course of the past weekend, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced that it has received the first of its new MC-55A Peregrine electronic warfare and signals intelligence (EW/SIGINT) aircraft, marking the start of the replacement of the AP-3C Orion fleet that was retired in 2023. Specifically, this is the first aircraft of a planned fleet of four, with the remaining three still in the United States awaiting future delivery.
Following the arrival of the new MC-55A Peregrine, the Australian government revealed that this first aircraft reached RAAF Base Edinburgh, located in South Australia and home to personnel from No. 10 Squadron. The aircraft arrived after a long ferry flight that originated at L3Harris facilities in Greenville, Texas, and included a total of four stopovers: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Arizona), Hickam Air Force Base (Hawaii), Wake Island, and finally Andersen Air Force Base (Guam), underscoring the logistical complexity involved in completing the delivery.
Regarding the aircraft’s characteristics and strategic relevance, it is worth recalling that the platform is based on the fuselage of a Gulfstream G550, which is subsequently outfitted by L3Harris to perform the EW/SIGINT role. Once this process is completed, the aircraft is equipped with the tools required to conduct long-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence support missions as needed. In broader terms, it is also important to note that each MC-55A will operate as part of a network that also includes the P-8A Poseidon and the MQ-4C Triton.
Referring to these aspects, Australian Minister of Defence Richard Marles stated: “The introduction of the MC-55A Peregrine represents a significant step forward in strengthening Australia’s ability to monitor and protect its strategic interests, including key maritime approaches. This capability will integrate seamlessly with allied and partner systems, enabling the Air Force and the ADF to share intelligence with security partners such as the United Kingdom and the United States, strengthening our collective security and enhancing regional stability.”
On the other hand, it is useful to recall that Australia has had approval from the U.S. Department of State since 2017 to acquire up to five MC-55A aircraft to reinforce the RAAF, although it was not until 2019 that Canberra confirmed its AISREW program, which led to the current acquisition. Notably, Australia invested more than USD 1.6 billion in the four aircraft ultimately procured, under the framework of Project AIR 555.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that even before the arrival of the first aircraft on Australian soil, the U.S. government had already approved an upgrade package for the MC-55A fleet worth more than USD 404 million. As previously reported in August last year, this package includes minor aircraft modifications, various types of consumables and accessories, as well as technical and logistical support from the manufacturer to ensure the sustainment of the fleet.
*Image credits: Australian Department of Defence, L3Harris
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