The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of a Baseline 2 upgrade for its MC-55A electronic warfare/signal intelligence (EW/SIGINT) aircraft, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 6 August 2025.
The proposed FMS, which is worth an estimated USD 404 million (EUR 346.5 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The DSCA did not specify exactly what additions the MC-55A Baseline 2 upgrade entails, but stated that the work “will improve Australia’s capability to maintain its fleet of MC-55A aircraft that enhances its ability to conduct effective air operations and supports US operations in the region”.
The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced the acquisition of four MC-55A Peregrine aircraft – which are based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet – in March 2019, with the overall procurement valued at AUD 2.46 billion (EUR 1.38 billion) at the time.
The four MC-55As, which are being acquired under the Australian DoD’s Project Air 555 Phase 1, are currently being modified with their special mission equipment by L3Harris in Greenville, Texas. The first aircraft was due to be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force before the end of 2025, although the fleet receiving a Baseline 2 upgrade is likely to extend this schedule.
L3Harris will also perform the Baseline 2 upgrade work.
