Australian Army Aviation: A History of Fixed-Wing, Rotary, and Unmanned Aircraft
The Australian Army has utilized a diverse array of aerial assets to maintain operational readiness, ranging from early observation planes to sophisticated modern drones. By integrating fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Army has evolved its capabilities in reconnaissance, transport, and battlefield support.
Key Facts
- The CH-47 Chinook and Eurocopter Tiger remain in current service.
- The Army currently operates 350 Phantom 4 UAVs for reconnaissance.
- The Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk served as a primary battlefield support helicopter from 1990 to 2021.
- The CASA C-212 Aviocar is the only fixed-wing aircraft currently in service, supporting the Australian Defence Force Parachuting School.
- Early aviation efforts relied heavily on the Auster Mark III and Cessna 180 for observation and liaison.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, commonly known as drones, have become essential for modern surveillance and target acquisition. The Australian Army has transitioned from larger, specialized systems to highly portable platforms.
Early deployments included the A50 AAI Aerosonde (Mk 2), which saw action in the Solomon Islands during Operation Anode in 2003. While the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle and Elbit Systems Skylark were previously used for battlefield surveillance, they have since become obsolete. The Skylark was specifically replaced by the Wasp EA.
Currently, the Army utilizes the Phantom 4 series. With 350 aircraft in the fleet since 2017, these units provide critical reconnaissance and battlefield surveillance capabilities.
Fixed-Wing Aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft have historically provided the Army with long-range transport, liaison, and air observation post (AOP) capabilities—aircraft used to direct artillery fire and scout enemy positions.
From 1944 to 1959, the A11 Auster Mark III served as a primary AOP aircraft. This was followed by a period of diverse utility aircraft, including the Cessna 180 and the Pilatus PC-6B Turbo-Porter. The GAF Nomad, an Australian-made twin-engine utility transport, was a staple of the fleet between 1975 and 1995.
In later years, the Army employed larger transports such as the Beechcraft Super King Air and leased aircraft like the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante and DHC-6 Twin Otter. Today, the CASA C-212 Aviocar continues to serve, with aircraft leased from Skytraders and previously from Military Support Services.
Rotary-Wing Aircraft and Helicopters
Helicopters provide the Australian Army with unmatched versatility in troop transport, medical evacuation, and armed attack roles.
The fleet's history includes light utility trainers like the Bell 47 Sioux and the Aerospatiale AS.350B Squirrel. For reconnaissance, the Bell/CAC CA-32 OH-58A Kiowa was utilized for nearly five decades, from 1971 until 2018.
Heavy-lift and multi-role capabilities were bolstered by the Bell UH-1 Iroquois and the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk. The Iroquois, transferred from the RAAF in 1990, served until 2007.
Modern operations rely on the Boeing CH-47 Chinook for medium-lift transport and the Eurocopter Tiger for armed reconnaissance and attack missions. While the NHIndustries NH90 served as a tactical transport helicopter until 2023, the Army Aviation Training Centre continues to operate the Bell 412.
Aircraft Summary Table
| Aircraft Type | Role | Status | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom 4 | Reconnaissance/Surveillance | Current | China |
| CASA C-212 Aviocar | Transport/Parachuting | Current | Spain |
| Boeing CH-47 Chinook | Medium-lift Transport | Current | United States |
| Eurocopter Tiger | Armed Reconnaissance/Attack | Current | Europe |
| Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk | Battlefield Support | Obsolete (2021) | United States |
| NHIndustries NH90 | Utility Transport | Obsolete (2023) | Europe |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fixed-wing aircraft is currently used by the Australian Army?
The CASA C-212 Aviocar is the current fixed-wing aircraft in service, operated by the Australian Defence Force Parachuting School.
What is the current primary attack helicopter in the fleet?
The Eurocopter Tiger (Tiger ARH) serves as the Army's armed reconnaissance and attack helicopter.
How many Phantom 4 UAVs are operated by the Army?
The Australian Army operates 350 Phantom 4 aircraft for reconnaissance and battlefield surveillance.
Which helicopter is used for medium-lift transport?
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is the twin-rotor medium-lift transport helicopter currently in service.
What happened to the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk?
The S-70A-9 Black Hawk, which served as a multi-role battlefield support helicopter, was operated from 1990 until 2021.