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The Royal Australian Air Force has confirmed its first operational test and evaluation flights for the new MC-55A Peregrine aircraft have been held at RAAF Base Darwin earlier this month.
Air Force introduced the first of four MC-55As into service in January, providing Defence with a first-of-type airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare platform capability.
OT&E flights operated by the Air Force’s No. 10 Squadron are expected provide the initial Air Force testing of the aircraft and support systems, and contribute to Defence’s real-time picture of the region, including Australia’s maritime approaches.
The missions are similar to maritime surveillance flights conducted by P-8A Poseidons.
Director General Air Command Operations Air Commodore Peter Robinson said MC-55A deployments would be coordinated with other Defence assets and capabilities.
“The MC-55A complements existing capabilities like the P-8A Poseidon and the incoming MQ-4C Triton, allowing Defence to maintain a persistent situational awareness of our primary area of military interest,” AIRCDRE Robinson said.
“While the MC-55A is a new capability for Defence, its deployment to Darwin is consistent with the RAAF’s nine-decade practice of conducting surveillance missions from Australia’s Top End.
“The 2026 National Defence Strategy tasks us to contribute to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific.
“A key part of how we achieve this is through these ISR deployments, which provide knowledge of what is happening in our region and is foundational to making informed decisions.
“Like their predecessors, aviators flying the MC-55A will conduct their missions in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”
Robert Dougherty
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