South Australian Aviation Museum

ardu crest

ARDU

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) formed the No.1 Air Performance Unit in December 1943 at Laverton. The purpose of the unit was the test and evaluation of aircraft and aircraft modification. In September 1947, while headquartered at Point Cook, the unit was renamed Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). Returning to its wartime base at RAAF Laverton, ARDU expanded its activities and established further detachments at Mallala in SA and Richmond NSW. Another detachment was later established at RAAF Edinburgh, which became the home of ARDU in February 1977, from where it continues its vital role of testing and evaluating both aircraft and weaponry in the RAAF inventory. ARDU has flown trials and development sorties on every aircraft in the ADF inventory.

ARDU Aircraft at SAAM
Mirage
Mirage IIID A3-115
Dakota
Douglas Dakota A65-114
Vampire
DH-100 Vampire A79-202
F111
F-111C A8-132
Hornet
F/A-18A Hornet A21-32
Pilatus
Pilatus PC-9 A23-045
Thanks

The members and friends of SAAM wish to acknowledge RAAF History & Heritage and RAAF ARDU for their continued support and encouragement. Together we share the desire to preserve and display South Australia's rich Aviation History.

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