US and Australian Air Forces conduct live fire drills against drones and subsonic targets
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On 19 August 2025, Australian and United States naval and air forces conducted live missile firings and advanced target trials as part of Exercise Archer 2025, off the coast of New South Wales. The training brought together a wide range of air, naval, and command assets, demonstrating the ability of both allies to conduct complex integrated defence operations.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The exercise also served as a testbed for the introduction into RAN service of new subsonic aerial targets (Picture source: Australian MoD)
From Williamtown and Amberley air bases, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) deployed F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler aircraft, which carried out live firings against drones launched and operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with technical support from QinetiQ Air Affairs at the Beecroft Weapons Range in Jervis Bay. These activities were coordinated through a command and control system integrating a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and a RAN destroyer supported by an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. The exercise also received support from an Air Mobility Group KC-30A, which provided air-to-air refuelling for all fighter aircraft involved.
The United States played a central role in the trials. Specialist weapons load teams from the US Air Force’s 53rd Wing, along with air-to-air range safety officers, took part in the operation, enhancing Australian expertise in the planning and conduct of live weapon firings. The F-35 United Operational Test Team provided technical experts to assist the Australian Air Force in weapons employment and outcome analysis.
The Commander of Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Peter Robinson, stated that Exercise Archer 25 offered an opportunity to test operational integration and weapons employment concepts in a controlled and secure environment. According to him, the training highlighted the ability of personnel, from pilots to armament technicians, to work together and demonstrate interoperability between the Air Combat Group, the wider Australian Defence Force, US partners, and the contractors involved.
The exercise also served as a testbed for the introduction into RAN service of new subsonic aerial targets. The BQM-74E was employed with the support of specialist launch and control teams from the US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, providing further opportunities for joint training and enhancing integration between the US and Australian navies. This system paves the way for the future adoption of the more capable BQM-177i.
The aircraft involved in the exercise illustrate the spectrum of capabilities available to the RAAF. The F-35A Lightning II provides advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and network-enabled operations, designed to penetrate contested environments and coordinate air combat operations. The F/A-18F Super Hornet, a multirole fighter, brings proven performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, while offering high payload flexibility. The EA-18G Growler adds an electronic attack dimension, equipped with jamming systems designed to disrupt adversary radars and communications. Supporting assets such as the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft and the KC-30A tanker extend operational endurance and enable command and control across large areas. Together, these platforms offer a layered approach to air and missile defence, combining stealth, firepower, electronic warfare and sustainment.
The relevance of such training lies in the need to prepare for increasingly complex aerial threats. Modern conflict scenarios anticipate the use of drones, cruise missiles, and swarming aerial targets that demand coordinated responses across multiple domains. Conducting live-fire exercises against subsonic aerial targets allows crews to test weapon systems under realistic conditions, refine rules of engagement, and validate command-and-control procedures. For Australia, working with the United States provides access to broader expertise, interoperability testing, and the integration of new systems such as the BQM series of aerial targets. For both partners, it ensures that their forces remain able to operate jointly in scenarios that replicate the demands of high-intensity conflict.
The successful conduct of Exercise Archer 25 reflected the ability of the RAAF and RAN to integrate their air and naval assets in the execution of live air and missile defence sequences. It also confirmed the strength of cooperation with the US Air Force and US Navy in the field of advanced weapon firings. The activity contributed directly to improving Australia’s operational readiness and combat capability, while consolidating procedures and relationships required for future live-fire and advanced training events.
Exercise Archer 2025 demonstrated the convergence of Australian and US capabilities in integrated air defence, validated new target systems, reinforced interoperability, and consolidated practices in the use of live weapons. The training fits into a long-term framework of preparation and cooperation, essential for addressing the security challenges of the regional strategic environment.
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On 19 August 2025, Australian and United States naval and air forces conducted live missile firings and advanced target trials as part of Exercise Archer 2025, off the coast of New South Wales. The training brought together a wide range of air, naval, and command assets, demonstrating the ability of both allies to conduct complex integrated defence operations.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The exercise also served as a testbed for the introduction into RAN service of new subsonic aerial targets (Picture source: Australian MoD)
From Williamtown and Amberley air bases, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) deployed F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler aircraft, which carried out live firings against drones launched and operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with technical support from QinetiQ Air Affairs at the Beecroft Weapons Range in Jervis Bay. These activities were coordinated through a command and control system integrating a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and a RAN destroyer supported by an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. The exercise also received support from an Air Mobility Group KC-30A, which provided air-to-air refuelling for all fighter aircraft involved.
The United States played a central role in the trials. Specialist weapons load teams from the US Air Force’s 53rd Wing, along with air-to-air range safety officers, took part in the operation, enhancing Australian expertise in the planning and conduct of live weapon firings. The F-35 United Operational Test Team provided technical experts to assist the Australian Air Force in weapons employment and outcome analysis.
The Commander of Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Peter Robinson, stated that Exercise Archer 25 offered an opportunity to test operational integration and weapons employment concepts in a controlled and secure environment. According to him, the training highlighted the ability of personnel, from pilots to armament technicians, to work together and demonstrate interoperability between the Air Combat Group, the wider Australian Defence Force, US partners, and the contractors involved.
The exercise also served as a testbed for the introduction into RAN service of new subsonic aerial targets. The BQM-74E was employed with the support of specialist launch and control teams from the US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, providing further opportunities for joint training and enhancing integration between the US and Australian navies. This system paves the way for the future adoption of the more capable BQM-177i.
The aircraft involved in the exercise illustrate the spectrum of capabilities available to the RAAF. The F-35A Lightning II provides advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and network-enabled operations, designed to penetrate contested environments and coordinate air combat operations. The F/A-18F Super Hornet, a multirole fighter, brings proven performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, while offering high payload flexibility. The EA-18G Growler adds an electronic attack dimension, equipped with jamming systems designed to disrupt adversary radars and communications. Supporting assets such as the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft and the KC-30A tanker extend operational endurance and enable command and control across large areas. Together, these platforms offer a layered approach to air and missile defence, combining stealth, firepower, electronic warfare and sustainment.
The relevance of such training lies in the need to prepare for increasingly complex aerial threats. Modern conflict scenarios anticipate the use of drones, cruise missiles, and swarming aerial targets that demand coordinated responses across multiple domains. Conducting live-fire exercises against subsonic aerial targets allows crews to test weapon systems under realistic conditions, refine rules of engagement, and validate command-and-control procedures. For Australia, working with the United States provides access to broader expertise, interoperability testing, and the integration of new systems such as the BQM series of aerial targets. For both partners, it ensures that their forces remain able to operate jointly in scenarios that replicate the demands of high-intensity conflict.
The successful conduct of Exercise Archer 25 reflected the ability of the RAAF and RAN to integrate their air and naval assets in the execution of live air and missile defence sequences. It also confirmed the strength of cooperation with the US Air Force and US Navy in the field of advanced weapon firings. The activity contributed directly to improving Australia’s operational readiness and combat capability, while consolidating procedures and relationships required for future live-fire and advanced training events.
Exercise Archer 2025 demonstrated the convergence of Australian and US capabilities in integrated air defence, validated new target systems, reinforced interoperability, and consolidated practices in the use of live weapons. The training fits into a long-term framework of preparation and cooperation, essential for addressing the security challenges of the regional strategic environment.
