First MC-55A Peregrine delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force

On 22 January 2026, Australia’s first MC-55A Peregrine aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, its future home base. The aircraft departed from the L3Harris facility in Greenville, South Carolina (USA), and transited via Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii before continuing on to Australia.

At the time of delivery, the MC-55A still carried its civilian test registration, N584GA, but was already painted in full Royal Australian Air Force livery for No. 10 Squadron. The aircraft is expected to receive its official Australian military serial in the near future. According to the Scramble database, this airframe is the third MC-55A built. The most likely serial is A51-003, although a serial linked to its construction number (c/n 5584) cannot be ruled out.

The MC-55A Peregrine programme was announced in March 2019, when then Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds confirmed the USD 1,6 billion acquisition of four modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft under Project AIR 555. The MC-55A provides Australia with a new airborne electronic warfare and intelligence capability.

At the time, Minister Pyne described the Peregrine as a key element of Australia’s future joint warfighting network. The aircraft will act as a critical link between platforms such as the F-35A Lightning II, E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Royal Australian Navy surface combatants and amphibious ships, as well as ground forces.

In addition to RAAF Base Edinburgh, dedicated MC-55A support facilities will be established at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory, RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland, and on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, ensuring wide regional coverage and operational flexibility.

Credit photo: Nathan Rundle