RAAF MC-55A Peregrine

On 23 July 2023, future Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Gulfstream MC-55A Peregrine flew with call sign GLF09 from Savannah/International (GA) to Greenville/Majors (TX). The Gulfstream, registered as N584GA (c/n 5584) and still in primer is one of four Peregrines that will replace the Lockheed AP-3C Orion (EW) with 10 Squadron Strike First at RAAF Edinburgh (SA).

Although the Peregrines will be operated by the RAAF’s Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (SRG), it is not clear whether they would be integrated with an existing squadron or if a new operational squadron will be created. The G550s will be modified by L3 Harris at the company’s Greenville Texas facility.

In March 2019, the Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds announced the USD 1,6 billion acquisition of four modified Gulfstream G550s - designated MC-55A Peregrine - for the RAAF under Project AIR 555. “The Peregrine is a new airborne electronic warfare capability that will be integrated into Defence’s joint warfighting networks, providing a critical link between platforms, including the F-35A Lightning II, E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Navy’s surface combatants and amphibious assault ships and ground assets to support the warfighter,” Pyne said in a statement.

RAAF Base Edinburgh will be the Main Operating Base Squadron Facility. Late 2020, the Lendlease construction company secured a contract with the Australian Department of Defence to deliver the AIR 555 project at Edinburgh. The project includes the construction of new facilities and infrastructure to support RAAF’s incoming MC-55A Peregrine aircraft. Initial Operating Facility and completion is planned for May 2024.

Next to RAAF Base Edinburgh, Peregrine support facilities will erected at RAAF Base Darwin (N.T.), RAAF Base Townsville (Qld) and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Credit photo: Centennial State Spotter (TX) / @SR_Planespotter