Australia Might Rejigger Maritime Patrol Needs
By Bradley Perrett
Source: Aviation Week & Space Technology
Credit: Northrop Grumman
Bradley Perrett Melbourne, Australia
For years it seemed certain that Australia would buy eight Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime aircraft, with a strong likelihood of supplementing them with seven Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned surveillance aircraft. With both types, the Royal Australian Air Force would have, in effect, an extension of the system that the U.S. Navy is developing in its Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program.
Now it looks like Boeing and perhaps General Atomics, builder of the Triton-rival Predator B, have more opportunities in the program, Air 7000.
The RAAF is quietly making a case for 12 Poseidons, arguing that eight would not be enough to cover the vast oceans surrounding the continent. And the unmanned requirement is now described as “up to” seven high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft, potentially reducing Northrop Grumman's opportunity. At the same time the air force sees an argument for a supplementary drone, possibly the Predator, to take on some of the electronic-intelligence missions that would otherwise fall to the Poseidons and Tritons.
The aircraft that need to be replaced—18 P-3C Orions updated to a local standard called AP-3C—are due for retirement around 2019, says a defense department spokeswoman. Keeping the Orions flying demands increasingly close attention. “The sustainment strategy for the Orion fleet has transitioned to a maintenance-intensive safety-by-inspection program, comprising targeted structural inspections and repairs,” says the spokeswoman. Despite the challenges, the aircraft are meeting requirements.
For years it seemed certain that Australia would buy eight Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime aircraft, with a strong likelihood of supplementing them with seven Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned surveillance aircraft. With both types, the Royal Australian Air Force would have, in effect, an extension of the system that the U.S. Navy is developing in its Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program.
Now it looks like Boeing and perhaps General Atomics, builder of the Triton-rival Predator B, have more opportunities in the program, Air 7000.
The RAAF is quietly making a case for 12 Poseidons, arguing that eight would not be enough to cover the vast oceans surrounding the continent. And the unmanned requirement is now described as “up to” seven high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft, potentially reducing Northrop Grumman's opportunity. At the same time the air force sees an argument for a supplementary drone, possibly the Predator, to take on some of the electronic-intelligence missions that would otherwise fall to the Poseidons and Tritons.
The aircraft that need to be replaced—18 P-3C Orions updated to a local standard called AP-3C—are due for retirement around 2019, says a defense department spokeswoman. Keeping the Orions flying demands increasingly close attention. “The sustainment strategy for the Orion fleet has transitioned to a maintenance-intensive safety-by-inspection program, comprising targeted structural inspections and repairs,” says the spokeswoman. Despite the challenges, the aircraft are meeting requirements.
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