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In pictures: 2017 Australian International Air Show, featuring F-35 Joint Strike Fighter debut

By Loz Blain
March 03, 2017
In pictures: 2017 Australian International Air Show, featuring F-35 Joint Strike Fighter debut
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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China's Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology stand
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China's Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology stand
China's Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology stand
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China's Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology stand
SOAPDRONE's gas-powered, variable pitch multirotor
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SOAPDRONE's gas-powered, variable pitch multirotor
Bell's helicopter simulator
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Bell's helicopter simulator
Bell's helicopter simulator
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Bell's helicopter simulator
Bell's two-seat helicopter simulator
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Bell's two-seat helicopter simulator
RAAF Hornet flight demo
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RAAF Hornet flight demo
RAAF Hornet flight demo
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RAAF Hornet flight demo
RAAF Hornet flight demo
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RAAF Hornet flight demo
RAAF Hornet flight demo
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RAAF Hornet flight demo
The Predator XP drone from General Atomics Aeronautical
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The Predator XP drone from General Atomics Aeronautical
The BQM-177i High-performance Aerial Target, from Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
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The BQM-177i High-performance Aerial Target, from Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
The BQM-177i High-performance Aerial Target, from Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
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The BQM-177i High-performance Aerial Target, from Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
The BQM-177i High-performance Aerial Target, from Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
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The BQM-177i High-performance Aerial Target, from Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
Lockheed Martin's DAGR missile system, compatible with the M229 Hellfire II launcher
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Lockheed Martin's DAGR missile system, compatible with the M229 Hellfire II launcher
Raytheon's GBU-53-B and AIM-120 missiles
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Raytheon's GBU-53-B and AIM-120 missiles
Carbonix displayed its beautiful cruise-capable VTOL multirotor
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Carbonix displayed its beautiful cruise-capable VTOL multirotor
Point Trading Group's Photonis night vision system
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Point Trading Group's Photonis night vision system
Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV is very impressive in the flesh
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV is very impressive in the flesh
Northrop Grumman's MQ-8C Fire Scout
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Northrop Grumman's MQ-8C Fire Scout
Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout autonomous helicopter
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Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout autonomous helicopter
Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV
Diamond DA62 on display
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Diamond DA62 on display
Pilatus PC-21 on display
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Pilatus PC-21 on display
Pilatus PC-12 NG on display
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Pilatus PC-12 NG on display
Augusta-Westland AW139 heli on display, in air ambulance trim
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Augusta-Westland AW139 heli on display, in air ambulance trim
An A400M Atlas looms large over the airstrip
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An A400M Atlas looms large over the airstrip
The interior of the A400M Atlas
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The interior of the A400M Atlas
Inside the A400M Atlas
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Inside the A400M Atlas
The intimidating size of the A400M Atlas
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The intimidating size of the A400M Atlas
Short runway full power takeoff with the F-22A Raptor
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Short runway full power takeoff with the F-22A Raptor
The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor, the world's most expensive fighter jet
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The Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor, the world's most expensive fighter jet
F-22A Raptor: fearsome in a power climb
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F-22A Raptor: fearsome in a power climb
Citation Latitude
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Citation Latitude
Cessna TTx
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Cessna TTx
Grand Caravan EX
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Grand Caravan EX
Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
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Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
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Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
F-35A Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35A Joint Strike Fighter
F-35A Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35A Joint Strike Fighter
F-35A Joint Strike Fighter cockpit
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F-35A Joint Strike Fighter cockpit
F-35A Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35A Joint Strike Fighter
F-35A Joint Strike Fighter electro-optical targeting system
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F-35A Joint Strike Fighter electro-optical targeting system
F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - cockpit
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F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - cockpit
The highly efficient turboprop Piaggio P180
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The highly efficient turboprop Piaggio P180
The highly efficient turboprop Piaggio P180
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The highly efficient turboprop Piaggio P180
Dassault Falcon 2000LX
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Dassault Falcon 2000LX
Airbus H145 Helicopter
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Airbus H145 Helicopter
Airbus H145 Helicopter
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Airbus H145 Helicopter
Airbus H125 and H130 Helicopters
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Airbus H125 and H130 Helicopters
Airbus H130 Helicopter
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Airbus H130 Helicopter
TBM 930 on display
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TBM 930 on display
Alenia C-27J Spartan
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Alenia C-27J Spartan
F/A-18 Hornet
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F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18 Hornet
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F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18F Super Hornet with weapon options
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F/A-18F Super Hornet with weapon options
F/A-18F Super Hornet information
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F/A-18F Super Hornet information
F/A-18F Super Hornet weaponry options
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F/A-18F Super Hornet weaponry options
F/A-18F Super Hornet: 20mm M61 Vulcan nose mounted Gatling gun
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F/A-18F Super Hornet: 20mm M61 Vulcan nose mounted Gatling gun
AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM 120 AMRAAM missiles
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AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM 120 AMRAAM missiles
Paveway laser guided bomb
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Paveway laser guided bomb
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler wing munitions
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Boeing EA-18G Growler wing munitions
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler armaments
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Boeing EA-18G Growler armaments
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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Boeing EA-18G Growler
AP-3C Orion
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AP-3C Orion
AP-3C Orion
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AP-3C Orion
AP-3C Orion
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AP-3C Orion
C-130J Hercules
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C-130J Hercules
C-130J Hercules
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C-130J Hercules
C-130J Hercules
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C-130J Hercules
Inside the C-130J Hercules
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Inside the C-130J Hercules
Inside the C-130J Hercules - medical fitout
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Inside the C-130J Hercules - medical fitout
C-130J Hercules medical station
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C-130J Hercules medical station
The massive C-17A Globemaster III
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The massive C-17A Globemaster III
C-17A Globemaster III
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C-17A Globemaster III
C-17A Globemaster III
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C-17A Globemaster III
C-17A Globemaster III
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C-17A Globemaster III
C-17A Globemaster III interior
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C-17A Globemaster III interior
C-17A Globemaster III cargo bay
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C-17A Globemaster III cargo bay
Inside the C-17A Globemaster III
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Inside the C-17A Globemaster III
IAI Eitan / Heron TP unmanned reconnaissance aircraft
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IAI Eitan / Heron TP unmanned reconnaissance aircraft
The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
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The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
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The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
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The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
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The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
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The giant Antonov 124-100 cargo plane, with its flip-top head
With the head flipped up and the tail open, the Antonov 124-100 is an open tube
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With the head flipped up and the tail open, the Antonov 124-100 is an open tube
Looking straight through the Antonov 124-100
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Looking straight through the Antonov 124-100
Forward tilt on the landing gear allows the nose of the Antonove 124-100 to open directly onto the ground
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Forward tilt on the landing gear allows the nose of the Antonove 124-100 to open directly onto the ground
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor: the world's most expensive fighter jet at over US$400 million a pop.
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor: the world's most expensive fighter jet at over US$400 million a pop.
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
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Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
RBS 70 laser-guided short range anti-aircraft missile
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RBS 70 laser-guided short range anti-aircraft missile
RBS 70 scope
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RBS 70 scope
RBS 70 laser-guided short range anti-aircraft missile
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RBS 70 laser-guided short range anti-aircraft missile
RBS 70 laser-guided short range anti-aircraft missile
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RBS 70 laser-guided short range anti-aircraft missile
M77A2 155mm Howitzer
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M77A2 155mm Howitzer
Airbus Tiger attack helicopter
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Airbus Tiger attack helicopter
Airbus Tiger attack helicopter
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Airbus Tiger attack helicopter
TALON small mobile robot, used for bomb disposal among other things
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TALON small mobile robot, used for bomb disposal among other things
BAE Hawk 127
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BAE Hawk 127
Ardupilot/Pixhawk's Philip Rowse with the Harrier Jump Jet
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Ardupilot/Pixhawk's Philip Rowse with the Harrier Jump Jet
The monstrous Antonov 124-100
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The monstrous Antonov 124-100
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter makes its first public appearance in Australia
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter makes its first public appearance in Australia
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter performs aerodynamic braking on the runway
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter performs aerodynamic braking on the runway
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter performs aerodynamic braking on the runway
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter performs aerodynamic braking on the runway
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter makes its first public landing in Australia
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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter makes its first public landing in Australia
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter comes in for its first public landing in Australia
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The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter comes in for its first public landing in Australia
The spectacular F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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The spectacular F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Dangerously close to a plane wheelie: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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Dangerously close to a plane wheelie: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
15 years in the making: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter makes its pubic debut
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15 years in the making: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter makes its pubic debut
Big crowds turned out for the public debut of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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Big crowds turned out for the public debut of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
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Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft 350 Super King Air fly formation
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Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft 350 Super King Air fly formation
RAAF Beechcraft 350 Super King Air fly formation
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RAAF Beechcraft 350 Super King Air fly formation
RAAF Beechcraft 350 Super King Air fly formation
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RAAF Beechcraft 350 Super King Air fly formation
Beechcraft 350 Super King Air
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Beechcraft 350 Super King Air
Lockheed Hudson MkIII joined the RAAF on Dec 5, 1941 - just as the war in the Pacific was about to start
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Lockheed Hudson MkIII joined the RAAF on Dec 5, 1941 - just as the war in the Pacific was about to start
CA-13 Boomerang "Suzy-Q"
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CA-13 Boomerang "Suzy-Q"
Historic warplanes fly over Avalon
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Historic warplanes fly over Avalon
Lockheed Hudson MkIII
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Lockheed Hudson MkIII
A parachute drop marks the public opening of the 2017 Australian International Air Show
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A parachute drop marks the public opening of the 2017 Australian International Air Show
A parachute drop marks the public opening of the 2017 Australian International Air Show
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A parachute drop marks the public opening of the 2017 Australian International Air Show
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet takes off
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet takes off
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon Airport
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet over Avalon Airport
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet landing
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet landing
RAAF F-18F Super Hornet on the ground
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RAAF F-18F Super Hornet on the ground
RAAF F/A-18 Hornet
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RAAF F/A-18 Hornet
2 S1 Pitts Specials and the Wolf Pitts Pro make up the Sky Aces aerobatic team
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2 S1 Pitts Specials and the Wolf Pitts Pro make up the Sky Aces aerobatic team 
Close call: The Sky Aces aerobatic team put on a spectacular show at the Australian Air Show
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Close call: The Sky Aces aerobatic team put on a spectacular show at the Australian Air Show
Acrobatics over Avalon
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Acrobatics over Avalon
The Sky Aces aerobatic team
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The Sky Aces aerobatic team 
The Sky Aces aerobatic team flying Pitts bi-planes
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The Sky Aces aerobatic team flying Pitts bi-planes
View gallery - 156 images

The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter landed in Australia for the first time earlier this week and today it took center stage at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, with two of the US$100 million jet fighters making their first public touchdown some 15 years after the Government first announced it would participate in the JSF program. With Australia set to spend AU$17 billion on 72 F-35s, the first of which should be operational in 2020, the public was eager to get a glance at its tax dollars in action.

Running concurrently at the site is the Aerospace and Defence Expo, where all manner of flight, weapons and military tech is on display. Multirotors are certainly playing a larger and larger part in any air show, and they're out in force here.

The air show and expo are open to the public this weekend, featuring a ton of aerial and static displays of both civilian and military aircraft.

Jump into the photo gallery for a visual tour of 2017 Australian International Air Show.

View gallery - 156 images

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AircraftF35-FighterAustralian Airshow
6 comments
Loz Blain
Loz Blain
Loz leads the New Atlas team as Editorial Director, after nearly two decades as one of our most versatile writers. He's also proven himself as a photographer, videographer, presenter, producer and podcast engineer. A graduate in Psychology, former business analyst and touring musician, he's covered just about everything for New Atlas, concentrating lately on clean energy, AI, humanoid robotics, next-gen aircraft, and the odd bit of music, motorcycles and automotive.

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6 comments
slarmas
149 is not a Super Hornet, Super Hornets have square inlets.
gettodacessna
Thank you for posting all these amazing photos! I wish I could have been there! Would it be possible to have a thumbnail gallery like there used to be at some point? I find the pictures are kinda slow to load like this and it would be nicer to chose which pictures I want to see!
Wolf0579
That plane was envisioned as a "game the system" plane. Meaning, it's production was decentralized enough that it's parts come from every congressional district in the country, thereby making it politician-proof. What congress-critter would vote against a job or three in his or her district? AS far as I'm concerned there was a conspiracy by the major design and construction players, and crimes were committed.
That plane is poorly designed. They made it able to operate (poorly) in a variety of roles, as opposed to a single purpose aircraft that could be designed solely for a particular mission, i.e. carrier launched, ground-based fighter-bomber, VTOL, etc. Since it was made to be able to do all of those things, it can't do any one of them well.
In addition, we are entering the age of drone fighters. A drone can outperform a manned aircraft simply because it doesn't have a fragile human pilot. Those planes will end up getting shelved, at enormous cost, since we paid staggering sums for them, and then won't be able to use them, or our pilots will be dead meat against a drone that can pull higher G turns. Several someones need to be prosecuted.
JackDekker
What a waisting of good money. 20 less of the things and we would have the best education system in the world.
p38arover
@JackDekker - I can see you "waisted" your time in spelling classes.
Island Architect
Dayam!! Loz got all the fun!