Aircraft Research and Development Unit RAAF
| Aircraft Research and Development Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 – Present |
| Country |
 Australia
|
| Branch |
 Royal Australian Air Force
|
| Role | Test and Evaluation |
| Part of | Air Warfare Centre Development and Test Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Base Edinburgh and Detachment at RAAF Base Amberley |
| Motto(s) | Prove to Accomplish |
| Aircraft | Pilatus PC-9 and F/A-18 Hornet |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Wing Commander D. Rich |
| 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 tests of existing and new Air Force aircraft. ARDU consists of four flights located at RAAF Bases Edinburgh, Amberley, Richmond and Williamtown, staffed by qualified test pilots, flight test engineers and flight test system specialists. Up until 2016 the Squadron also conducted flight test for the Australian Army with Army personnel also working within the unit. The flight test crew are long course trained at 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 Organisation.
ARDU is now located at RAAF Base Edinburgh in Adelaide, South Australia, and RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane, Queensland.
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