The Special Purpose Aircraft consists of two Boeing Business Jets and three Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft. These leased aircraft are managed under a total contractor support arrangement with Northrop Grumman Australia. The leases for the Boeing Business Jets and Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft are scheduled to expire in 2024 and 2029 respectively. During 2020-21, the focus will be on ensuring the continued delivery of the Special Purpose Aircraft capability.
Air Force has a fleet of two Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) aircraft, which were introduced in 2002. They are part of the Special Purpose Aircraft fleet, operated by No. 34 Squadron from Defence Establishment Fairbairn in the Australian Capital Territory.
The BBJs provide an agile transport capability that can carry Government and staff within Australia and overseas. The aircraft has seating, a meeting room, working space, and communications facilities.
The use of Air Force Special Purpose Aircraft allows Government to attend international forums and conduct state visits easily, thus ensuring Australia is represented on the world's stage.
The BBJ complement the smaller Dassault Falcon 7X that are also operated by No. 34 Squadron.
The BBJ has a crew of up to six (pilot, co-pilot, and up to four crew attendants) and is capable of carrying 26 passengers.
It has a range of 11,390 km which enables it to fly directly from Canberra to Hong Kong or Tokyo.
The Dassault Falcon 7X Special purpose aircraft joined the Air Force fleet in April 2019.
The Dassault Falcon 7X, powered by three P&W PW307A engines represents a major capability leap from its predecessor, the smaller CL-604 Challenger. Designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the 7X has a standard crew of three (pilot, co-pilot and crew attendant) and can carry up to 14 passengers and has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.9 and a range of up to 11,000 km.
The 7X features a high-tech wing, an advanced ‘glass cockpit' with a heads-up display and an infrared enhanced vision system. The 7X also includes satellite communications for improved support for Government connectivity whilst airborne
Content is current as at November 2020.