Australia brings first Gulfstream G550-based MC-55A Peregrine ISR aircraft into service
January 27, 2026
The Royal Australian Air Force reported that it has officially welcomed the first MC-55A Peregrine to Australia. This comes as L3Harris announced it has delivered the first MC-55A aircraft to “the US Air Force, following integration and mission system testing as part of Australia’s new Peregrine fleet.”
RAAF receives first L3Harris MC-55A
The MC-55A is a first-of-type airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare (ISREW) platform.
According to L3Harris, it was delivered by the US Air Force to the RAAF, and “follow-on aircraft will remain in the Air Force’s possession while supporting RAAF training and pre-delivery requirements.”
According to Australian Aviation, this is the first of four such aircraft, and it arrived at its new home, RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, late last week. Australia’s Number 10 Squadron will operate it.
While many may focus on how many fighter jets an air force may have, these are often of sharply reduced value without enablers like EW aircraft, AWACS, and tankers. The MC-55A is designed to deliver real-time threat warning and actionable intelligence to support decision-making.
The RAAF’s Air Marshal Chappel said, “The MC-55A Peregrine is more than an aircraft – it is a strategic capability that reinforces our ability to protect national interests in an increasingly complex security environment.”
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Growing the RAAF’s ISR & EW capabilities
The aircraft will take its place as part of Australia’s broader ISR capabilities, which also include Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Boeing E-7A Wedgetails, MQ-4C Triton unmanned patrol aircraft, and others.
The RAAF says it will complement the P-8A and MQ-4C maritime patrol aircraft and form “a critical link in the nation’s surveillance and electronic warfare assets.”
L3Harris said it will provide “critical data for long-range targeting, regional deployments, and effective mission planning.”
The MC-55A is built on a highly modified Gulfstream G550 business jet and was developed by the US’s L3Harris Technologies. The aircraft is also designed to seamlessly integrate with allied nations like the UK and the US, allowing the countries to share intelligence.
The @AusAirForce has officially welcomed the first MC-55A Peregrine to Australia, a first-of-type airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (ISREW) platform. The Peregrine marks a major milestone in strengthening the nation’s sovereign defence… pic.twitter.com/6G4b8qAJYs
— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) January 26, 2026
The RAAF said, “With the MC-55A Peregrine now in service, the Royal Australian Air Force is at the forefront of airborne intelligence and electronic warfare.”
Australia’s small but capable air force
Australia operates a fairly small but highly modern and capable air force. The service employs around 16,000 personnel and operates around 260 aircraft.
The RAAF reports it is spending billions to upgrade the force’s capabilities. In the ISR and EW roles, it is upgrading its EA-18Gs, upgrading and enhancing the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, and purchasing MC-55A Peregrine.
It is also expanding its JORN radar in Longreach, acquiring more crewed and uncrewed ISR aircraft, and developing air-teaming capabilities (e.g., Boeing Australia Ghost Bat loyal wingman drone).
Australia is emerging as a notable player in the development of hypersonic missiles and systems. Some US Air Force hypersonic missile tests have also been carried out in Australia with Australian warplanes.
Australia also operates one of the world’s largest (72) fleets of Lockheed Martin F-35As. These aircraft take fighter jet ISR and EW capabilities to another level. The F-35 outcompetes Gripen + GlobalEye and F/A-18 + EA-18G Growler in Canada and/or Finland as they evaluated which aircraft to purchase.
Featured Image: L3Harris
