Top End hosts electronic warfare trial

Launching from RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory, 6 and 75 Squadron recently conducted Electronic Warfare (EW) testing of the EA-18G Growler and F-35A Lightning II.

CAPTION: EA-18G Growlers from 6 Squadron and F-35A Lightning IIs from 75 Squadron on the flight line at RAAF Base Tindal, NT, during Trial Swagman. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Brandon Murray.

‘Trial Swagman’ was coordinated by the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU), a unit of Air Warfare Centre’s Spectrum Warfare Directorate.

Commanding Officer JEWOSU Wing Commander Alex Cave explained how the activity used the vast NT airspace, including Delamere Air Weapons Range, to test new EW countermeasures for air combat aircraft.

“Trial Swagman was a ground-breaking event that tested Air Combat Group’s EW capabilities in a field environment,” Wing Commander Cave said.

“The world-class trial team, integrating EW specialists from partner nations, successfully conducted a complex test that will enhance platform survivability, improve ADF and Allied EW developmental test capabilities and feed future survivability optimisation activities.”

CAPTION: An EA-18G Growler from 6 Squadron flies over RAAF Base Tindal during Trial Swagman. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Brandon Murray.

EA-18G pilot Flight Lieutenant Sam said Tindal provided essential resources to conduct flightline operations and servicing for the evaluation of new technologies.

“Trial Swagman was a fantastic opportunity for 6 Squadron to further develop and test our integrated tactical procedures with the F-35A, as well as enhance our agile combat employment frameworks, particularly the deployment to and from the NT in a short timeframe,” he said.

“It additionally gave our junior aviators the opportunity to gain experience operating in the NT working alongside 75 Squadron, as well as our ground-based threat training MTTES (mobile threat training emitter system).”

Commanding Officer 75 Squadron Wing Commander Andrew Nilson said the evaluation of Trial Swagman’s data would improve the survivability of Air Force’s air combat aircraft in contested environments.

“Trial Swagman was an excellent opportunity for 75 Squadron to contribute to the advancement of F-35A survivability, in particular when integrated with the capabilities the EA-18G offers,” he said.

“The outcomes will give us a greater understanding of how we best integrate to achieve maximum survivability.”

CAPTION: Personnel from Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit, CEA Technologies, 1 Combat Communications Squadron, F-35A Joint Program Office, Defence Science and Technology Group, and 80 Squadron during Trial Swagman. Photo by Flying Officer Zac Ringer.

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