RAAF Base Woomera lifts off

The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO, today announced changes to the management of the Woomera range and its associated facilities. From January 2015, the entire Woomera capability will be termed the ‘Woomera Range Complex’, comprising both the Woomera Test Range and the newly established RAAF Base Woomera.

“The reorganisation of the Woomera Range Complex will bring the facility into line with other Defence establishments and will allow the outstanding work done at Woomera to continue well into the future,” Air Marshal Brown said.

“Woomera provides a significant capability to the Australian Defence Force, Australia and its strategic partners.”

RAAF Base Woomera will include the Woomera airfield, hangars, technical areas and Woomera village.
 
There will be no access changes to the Woomera village or the Olympic Dam – Pimba Road for members of the public and private leaseholders within the village. Nor will there be any change to non-Defence users’ access to the Woomera Prohibited Area.

The Woomera Test Range includes:

- Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA), the large land mass weapons range used for the testing of war materiel.

- Woomera Restricted Airspace, the restricted airspace above the WPA.

- Woomera Camp Rapier, the secure garrison support and specialised training compound within the WPA.

- Nurrungar Test Area, the small specialised testing area just outside the WPA.

- Commonwealth test facilities and infrastructure on the WPA outside of RAAF Base Woomera.

Commander Aerospace Operational Support Group, Air Commodore Stephen Osborne, CSC, highlighted the range of advanced testing that occurs at Woomera.
 
“Woomera is the recognised home of military Unmanned Aerial Systems testing in Australia and it is fast becoming the destination of choice for our partners across the full spectrum of test and evaluation,” Air Commodore Osborne said.
 
“For example, the British Ministry of Defence project Taranis successfully flight trialled its advanced unmanned combat air vehicle at Woomera in August last year.”
 
The Woomera Range Complex will continue to be managed by Air Force in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Act and Woomera Prohibited Area Rules.
 
Media contacts: 
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Regional Manager Public Affairs SA, Simone Liebelt, 0417 887 040