Developed by L3Harris Technologies and based on the
Gulfstream G550 business jet airframe, the MC-55A is designed to conduct
long-range missions capable of collecting and analyzing a range of intelligence
data. The aircraft features advanced sensors, signal-detection systems, and
electronic-warfare suites that enable it to operate across a wide range of
military and surveillance missions.
The Australian government confirmed the arrival as a
milestone in the modernization of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The
first of four MC-55A aircraft will be operated by Number 10 Squadron and based
at RAAF Base Edinburgh. The platform is expected to become fully operational in
the coming years as integration, training, and mission testing proceed.
The MC-55A strengthens Australia’s broader Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) enterprise. It will operate alongside
key assets such as the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and the MQ-4C
Triton unmanned aerial vehicle, enhancing maritime domain awareness, electronic
surveillance, and real-time data sharing across defense networks.
