British Royal Air Force Conducts Major Exercise in Australia.

Exercise Pitch Black, which began on July 12, 2024, and will continue until August 2, 2024, is held every two years. This year marks the largest edition in its 43-year history, featuring participation from 20 nations, over 140 aircraft, and approximately 4,500 personnel. The exercise focuses on large-scale air missions involving a significant number of international aircraft.
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Exercise Pitch Black provides an excellent opportunity for the Royal Air Force to work with various other nations. (Picture source: British MoD)

"Exercise Pitch Black provides an excellent opportunity for the Royal Air Force to work with various other nations, some of whom we have operated alongside previously and others for the first time," said Wing Commander Robertson, the detachment commander.

"The training offered by Exercise Pitch Black is almost unique due to the vast expanse of Australia, presenting pilots with new challenges such as extended operational range and the large number of adversary aircraft that can fit into the immense training airspace. This detailed tactical-level integration across all professions and specialties strengthens our relationships and ensures future interoperability," he added.

The exercise is preceded by Exercise Griffin Strike, a 14,000 km journey from the United Kingdom conducted jointly with the French Air and Space Force, demonstrating the long-range air power projection capability.

For the RAF, a significant benefit of Exercise Pitch Black is the experience gained in deploying over great distances and sustaining air operations at range in the Indo-Pacific, while working with partner nations to foster stronger ties.

Six Typhoons from XI (F) Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby, are currently stationed at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, while the Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton’s Air Mobility Force operates from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.

Exercise Pitch Black, which began on July 12, 2024, and will continue until August 2, 2024, is held every two years. (Picture source: British MoD)

The Typhoon is a multi-role fighter aircraft designed for a variety of missions, including air superiority, ground attacks, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Used by Austria, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, it is the product of a European collaboration between Germany, Italy, and the UK.

The Typhoon can be piloted by a single pilot or a crew of two, depending on the mission requirements. Powered by two EUROJET EJ200 engines, it can reach an impressive maximum speed of 2,495 km/h, allowing it to respond swiftly to threats. With a maximum range of 2,900 km, this aircraft is capable of long-distance operations without frequent refueling. Its empty weight is 11,150 kg.

In terms of avionics, the Typhoon features a Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Direct Voice Input/Output (DVI/O), Hands Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controls, and Voice Throttle And Stick (VTAS) commands. It is equipped with a CAPTOR mechanical scan radar, an AESA radar, and a Passive Infra-Red Airborne Tracking Equipment (PIRATE). Its dimensions are notable as well, with a length of 15.96 m, a wingspan of 10.95 m, and a height of 5.34 m.

The Voyager, produced by Airbus Defence and Space, is a versatile aircraft primarily used for aerial refueling and military transport. It is equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent 772B turbofans, each providing 71,100 pounds-force (316 kN) of thrust. Measuring 58.82 meters in length, 17.39 meters in height, and with a wingspan of 60.30 meters, the Voyager is an imposing aircraft with a wing area of 361.60 square meters.

This aircraft can reach a maximum speed of approximately Mach 0.86. During a typical mission, it can deliver around 60,000 kilograms of fuel over five hours while stationed 930 kilometers from its base. With a maximum payload, its range is 8,334 kilometers, and when carrying the maximum fuel load, it can travel up to 14,816 kilometers.

The Voyager can operate at a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet, transport up to 111,000 kilograms of fuel, and carry a maximum payload of around 45,000 kilograms. In terms of passenger transport, it can accommodate up to 291 people.

This year, for the first time, the exercise sees the participation of aircraft from the Philippines, Spain, Italy, and Papua New Guinea, as well as embedded personnel from Brunei and Fiji, joining other nations such as France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Typhoon is a multi-role fighter aircraft designed for a variety of missions, including air superiority, ground attacks, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. (Picture source: British MoD)