THE HON. JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Tuesday, 05 May 2009
069/2009
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED WITH
UNITED STATES NAVY FOR COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT OF P-8A POSEIDON LONG RANGE
MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT
I am pleased to announce that Defence has taken the first steps in a $A5 billion
project to acquire a manned Maritime Patrol and Response Aircraft by signing a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Navy (USN) to
cooperatively develop upgrades to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft and support systems.
The manned aircraft, to be acquired under Project AIR7000 Phase 2, in conjunction
with the Multi-mission Unmanned Aerial System, to be acquired under Project AIR
7000 Phase 1.
The P-8A is a modern, highly reliable aircraft based on the commercially-proven
Boeing B737, and modified to incorporate the latest maritime surveillance and attack
capabilities.
Defence will collaborate in Spiral One, the first in a series of improvements planned
through the life of the P-8A. Through participation in the P-8A Spiral One cooperative
development program, Defence seeks to gain information on the P-8A to support the
acquisition and through life support decisions, provide opportunities for Australian
industry, and influence the direction of P-8A improvements.
The 2009 Defence White Paper detailed the Government’s plans to acquire eight
new maritime patrol aircraft to replace the capability currently provided by the AP-3C
Orion aircraft, when that aircraft is retired in 2018 after 30-years of RAAF service.
These new aircraft will provide a highly advanced surface search radar and optical,
infra-red and electronic surveillance systems. With these systems, along with a high
transit speed and the ability to conduct air- to- air refuelling, these aircraft will provide
a superior capability for rapid area search and identification tasks. They will also
provide a highly advanced anti- submarine warfare capability, including the ability to
engage submarines using air- launched torpedoes.
Media contacts:
Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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