A representative of L3Harris told reporters at Avalon Australian International Airshow that, following delays, the first of the Royal Australian Air Force’s new MC-55A Peregrine ISR jets will be delivered this calendar year.
Speaking to FlightGlobal, President of ISR Programs at L3Harris, Jason Lambert, said the project is now on “the path to delivery”. Lambert claimed “there’s nothing else in the world that matches MC-55” in terms of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Ordered in 2019, the Gulfstream 550-based MC-55A Peregrine will replace a number of specially configured AP-3C Orions which formerly served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Australia is the launch customer for this aircraft configuration, and the regulatory certification requirements that stem from this have been a partial cause for delivery delays, but L3Harris claims a similar airframe is in production for an undisclosed foreign military sales (FMS) customer.
Most of the exact types of sensors fitted to the MC-55A have not been revealed, but we can assume from visible antennas that the aircraft is equipped with an array of advanced signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities. The large canoe-shaped fairing under the forward fuselage likely contains the flat panel antennas of Leonardo’s Osprey 50 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. At the tail, the bulbous fairing may contain more radar or SIGINT antennas while also housing what could be the aircraft’s electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera turret.
The first MC-55A Peregrine for the @AusAirForce arrives at L3 Harris Greenville for test flight 2 in its completed, fully modified state. pic.twitter.com/wkRSrhBTFs
— 𝙎𝙍_𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 (@SR_Planespotter) January 22, 2025
The aircraft is equipped with a wide range of communications equipment, and will be able to make use of modern datalinks to directly network with the RAAF’s F-35A Lightning IIs, P-8A Poseidons, MQ-4C Tritons, and EA-18G Growlers.
Some descriptions of the MC-55A describe the aircraft’s role as ISREW, adding electronic warfare to the familiar ISR acronym. While most new aircraft of this type have at least some form of electronic warfare capability, at the very least as part of a self protection suite, the use of this term suggests the Peregrine will be able to take an active role in EW alongside Australia’s dedicated EA-18Gs.
L3Harris is highly experienced with adapting civilian business jets for military purposes, and often liaises directly with aircraft manufacturers when making exterior modifications that will affect a design’s aerodynamic properties. Alongside the MC-55, the company is also currently manufacturing the EA-37B Compass Call for the U.S. and Italian air forces.
Our aircraft missionization center offers a diverse range of business jet solutions. A great example 👉 the integration of the Airborne Stand-Off Radar system onto a Bombardier Global Express to create the Royal Air Force Sentinel R1 aircraft. https://t.co/KbKO2s6B70 pic.twitter.com/VoCidABBBw
— L3Harris (@L3HarrisTech) April 25, 2023
After delivery of the RAAF’s first aircraft, the project will reach the Initial Materiel Release (IMR) phase. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) will be declared once two MC-55A flight and maintenance crews are available to support training or operations, along with one ground based mission crew and a flight simulator.
Final or Full Operating Capability (FOC) will see the RAAF operate four aircraft. The projected dates for IOC and FOC have yet to be confirmed, and are almost certainly dependent on when in 2025 the first aircraft arrives in Australia.
All four aircraft will be based at RAAF Edinburgh, near Adelaide in South Australia, alongside Australia’s P-8 Poseidons and MQ-4C Tritons. A AU$220 million infrastructure upgrade for the base was announced in 2020 to accommodate the new aircraft. This includes hangar space, personnel accommodation, and maintenance facilities.
Airbus Australia posted several new job openings to support MC-55A Peregrine maintenance at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The development program of the modified SIGINT/EW Gulfstream G550 bizjets has suffered several delays, but appears to be in the final stages. https://t.co/8VAaEhQafH pic.twitter.com/qvDOMDTLXx
— Bizjets of War (@bizjetsofwar) August 29, 2024
Australia intends to use multiple forward operating bases (FOBs) for MC-55A operations, such as the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. These islands are an Australian territory located deep in the Indian Ocean. FOBs will extend the already exceptional range offered by the G550 platform further still, allowing not only for longer range operations but also increased endurance and time on task.
As a partner nation to the AUKUS alliance, as well as Five Eyes, Australia’s MC-55As will most likely also be welcome at American and British operating locations in the region, such as Diego Garcia and Guam.
Thanks to SR_Planespotter for images of the MC-55A Peregrine. You can follow them on X/Twitter or BlueSky.
