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Aerospace Operational Support Group

The Royal Australian Air Force's Aerospace Operational Support Group enhances and extends Australian Defence Force (ADF) combat capability by providing comprehensive, timely and integrated operational support that contributes to mission success and crew survivability. Aerospace Operational Support Group has its headquarters at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, and units in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. The group comprises:

  • Information Warfare Wing
  • Air System Development and Test Wing
  • Woomera Test Facility.

Aerospace Operational Support Group has responsibilities across the ADF and the Department of Defence. The group’s workforce are predominantly Air Force personnel but also include Navy, Army, public service and Defence industry personnel.

Aerospace Operational Support Group is heavily reliant on specialist facilities, high-technology equipment and highly-skilled people. Staff have expertise in a wide range of disciplines and comprise specialist engineers and technicians, highly-qualified test aircrew, computer system experts, skilled and experienced analysts, project and capability management staff and logistics specialists.

The group operates a variety of aircraft for test and evaluation purposes. F/A-18 Hornet, Pilatus PC-9/A, S-70A-9 Black Hawk and UH-1H Iroquois aircraft are permanently assigned to the group. Other aircraft may be assigned on a temporary basis.

The units of Aerospace Operational Support Group and their primary functions are as follows:

AOSG HQ
  • Information Warfare Wing is responsible for supervision, activity coordination and tasking of the following units:
    • Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU) provides electronic warfare support to the Navy, Army and Air Force. The unit also provides subject matter advice to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Defence Intelligence Group.
    • RAAF Aeronautical Information Service (RAAF AIS) provides the ADF with tailored, accurate and current aeronautical information in both printed and electronic formats to support air operations.
    • No 87 Squadron produces timely and precise Air Force intelligence and combat targeting products and expertise to the operational and tactical levels of the Air Force.
    • No 462 Squadron seeks to exploit, and protect against exploitation of the information domain and supports operational commanders in providing a secure information environment to support air operations.
  • Air Systems Development and Test Wing is responsible for the supervision, planning, project management, tasking and co-ordination of activities delivered by the following units:
    • Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) Flight Test Squadron (AFTS) plans, conducts and analyses the results of ground and flight tests of existing and new Army and Air Force aircraft.
    • ARDU Systems Engineering Squadron (ASES) designs and develops non-standard modifications, special test equipment and facilities, and telemetry functions to support flight tests.
    • Aircraft/Stores Compatibility Engineering Agency (ASCEA) is the ADF design authority for aircraft/stores compatibility and air weapons engineering.
    • Institute of Aviation Medicine (AVMED) ensures the effectiveness and safety of ADF air operations by conducting research and training ADF aircrew to understand and manage the physiological challenges of flight.
  • Woomera Test Facility provides instrumented test and evaluation range support services to the ADF and the broader Defence community (both Australian and allied).