Quick questions on Australian aeronautical engineering: HSC Engineering Studies Aeronautical Engineering

Australian aeronautical engineering began in earnest during the Second World War. The Department of Aircraft Production ran two major manufacturing sites:

The GAF was privatised in 1987 (Hawker de Havilland) and merged with BAE Systems Australia in 1999. CAC was sold to Hawker de Havilland in 1985.

Australia now operates as a sustainment, modification, and component supplier rather than a prime aircraft manufacturer. The major activities:

The current industry concentrates on:

The Boeing Australia MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the first Australian-designed and built combat aircraft since 1985. It is a 12 m wingspan unmanned uncrewed loyal wingman for the F-35 and Super Hornet, with composite airframe, electric backup actuation, and a swappable mission nose. The Ghost Bat marks the return of full aircraft engineering capability to Australia after a 40 year gap.

Australian aeronautical engineering supports about 25{,}000 jobs across manufacturing, MRO and software. The sector exports about A$1.5 billion per year and supports the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet readiness. The transition from indigenous prime manufacturing (Avon Sabre, Nomad) to component manufacturing and sustainment (787, F-35) reflects the global aerospace industry's consolidation around large primes (Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin).

Qantas operates aircraft; it does not build them. Boeing builds them; Boeing Defence Australia builds the Ghost Bat. Lockheed Martin builds the F-35.

Maintenance, repair and overhaul is technical engineering work, not just spanner-turning. It includes structural repair design, modification engineering, avionics integration and certification.

Two separate Commonwealth corporations, both at Port Melbourne, both producing aircraft during and after WW2. :::