 | This section includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (March 2014) |
| Aircraft Research and Development Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 – present |
| Country |  Australia |
| Branch |  Royal Australian Air Force |
| Role | Test and evaluation |
| Part of | Air Warfare Centre Test and Evaluation Directorate |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Edinburgh with flights at RAAF Base Amberley and RAAF Base Williamtown |
| Motto(s) | Prove to Accomplish |
| Aircraft | Pilatus PC-21[1] |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Wing Commander M. Noblet |
| Notable commanders | J.A. Rowland (1959) M.A. Skidmore (2000–02) D.J. Fawcett (2003–04) |
| Insignia | |
| Callsigns | TESTER and DELTA (for formations) |
The Royal Australian Air Force's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) plans, conducts and analyses the results of ground and flight testing of existing and new Air Force aircraft. ARDU consists of three test and evaluation flights (TEFs) located at RAAF Bases Edinburgh, Amberley and Williamtown, staffed by qualified test pilots, flight test engineers (engineer graduates of test pilot school) and flight test system specialists (air combat officer graduates of test pilot school). ARDU also conducted flight testing for the Australian Army until 2016, with Army personnel working within the unit.
The unit's flight test aircrew are long course trained at international test pilot schools including the United States Air Force Test Pilot School, the United States Naval Test Pilot School, the Empire Test Pilots' School, the École du personnel navigant d'essais et de réception and the National Test Pilot School.
The client base for ARDU encompasses the Air Mobility Group, Air Combat Group, Surveillance and Response Group, Air Force Training Group, and Defence Science and Technology Group.
ARDU often collaborates with sister AWC/TED unit Air Warfare Engineering Squadron (AWESQN). It also maintains close professional association with the other ADF flight test organisations, the Army Aviation Test and Evaluation Section (AATES) of the Army Aviation Training Centre (AAvnTC) located at Oakey, and the Navy's Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU) located at Nowra.
ARDU is now located at RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide, South Australia, RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle, New South Wales, and RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane, Queensland.
- ^ First PC 21 for RAAF's Aircraft Research Unit Airforce's Monthly 23 February 2023 [dead link]