Up in a puff of smoke at Delamere

The bombing range has been upgraded recently.

The centre is off limits at the moment to overseas countries who enjoy testing out their military's prowess on its vast range.

About 120 kilometres south of Katherine and under the control of the Tindal RAAF Base, Delamere facility is managed round-the-clock by a small detachment of the No. 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron RAAF.

Air Force Test Ranges Squadron Explosive Ordinance Reconnaissance Corporal Brenton Arthur monitors weapons releases at the Delamere Air Weapons Range Control Centre in the Northern Territory.

Delamere Air Weapons Range from its inception in 1989 through to today, remains a key enabler for air power.

Located on the South West margin of the Sturt Plateau in the Northern Territory, and a two-hour drive from the Tindal RAAF Base, Delamere comprises about 2000 square kilometres.

More reading: Delamere is a hidden jewel.

The range has three designated airspace training areas, and a single 4000 foot unsurfaced runway that can support aircraft up to a C-130 Hercules.

Most often real bombs are not used, accuracy is checked electronically with the people on the ground.

Besides its large tracts of unoccupied land it has 18,000 metres of vertical airspace clearance.

Delamere has two practice ranges for smaller weapons testing, a fake airfield, even a fake town built from shipping containers.

The NT has some big training grounds like Delamere, the Bradshaw Field Training Area not far to the west, and the Mount Bundey Training Area adjacent to Kakadu.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.