Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and Minister for Defence Industry, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, announced the $2.46 billion acquisition of four modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft – to be designated the MC-55A “Peregrine” - for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

G550 (Picture source: Gulfstream)

"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 [Lockheed Martin] F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, [Boeing] E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Navy’s surface combatants and amphibious assault ships and ground assets to support the warfighter,” says defence minister Christopher Pyne.

The aircraft would enable the Australian Defence Force to actively strengthen electronic warfare support to naval, air and land forces for operations in complex electromagnetic environments.Airframe modifications were listed to accommodate mission systems and secure communications equipment.

The work will be conducted at L3's Greenville site in Texas. A self-protection suite will also be installed, with other programme elements to include ground-based data processing systems, plus spare parts and crew training services.