U.S. Clears $404M MC-55A Aircraft Upgrade Deal for Australia

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $404 million sale to Australia covering upgrades and support for its MC-55A electronic warfare aircraft fleet, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Wednesday.

The proposed foreign military sale includes major and minor aircraft modifications, spare parts, consumables, repair and return services, and technical and logistics support from both the U.S. government and contractors.

The MC-55A, based on the Gulfstream G550, is being acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for intelligence collection and electronic warfare missions. The DSCA stated the Baseline 2 upgrade will support Australia’s ability to maintain effective air operations across the Indo-Pacific.

Australia is procuring four MC-55As, which will work across all branches of its military with a focus on electromagnetic spectrum dominance. Initial deliveries had been scheduled for 2023, but delays in modifying the airframe and obtaining certification pushed timelines. Supplemental type certification was finalized in late 2024, and the aircraft are now expected to be delivered before the end of 2025.

L3Harris, the primary contractor, previously confirmed the aircraft would feature a long canoe fairing under the fuselage and other external structural changes to support advanced electronic warfare equipment.