Page 36 - Leverage and Learn_Neat

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

continue to operate from RAAF Base Edinburgh, providing maritime surveillance operations across the globe.
By 2022, twelve aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, with an additional three to be acquired as
part of the Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper commitment.

But the operating concept of the two airplanes is very different and we are working the transition from the P-
3 to the P-8 which is a networked asset both benefiting from other networks and contributing to them as well
as a core operational capability and approach.

The changes that are coming are very exciting.

So we’re moving from an aircraft, which we’ve pretty much maximized, to a new one which is called P-8, for a
reason.

This is an A model aircraft. So with an A model aircraft comes to the ability to grow.

And we’re going to a new world with a starting point, which allows us to grow.
The capacity to integrate, innovate, and talk to our allies and our own services is a quantum leap in what
we’ve had in the past and it will allow us to be able to do our roles differently.

Shaping that change is one of the key missions that we’ve got.

We are going to innovate and think out of the box compared to P-3 tactics and concepts of operations.

Question: You fly the Wedgetail and the P-8.

Even though the systems are different, there must be some cross learning opportunities?
Answer: There are.

We can start with the 737 aspects of operating both aircraft and the maintenance opportunities and
challenges.

And we do train the electronic system operators on the Wedgetail.

And as we stand up we can connect the simulators as well to shape a broader approach to the capabilities
the three aircraft can deliver, namely Wedgetail, P-8 and Triton.

There are many opportunities regarding the synergies between the E-7A and the P-8A that we are yet to
explore.

Question: With an aircraft with a broader span of capability, there is the challenge of the demand side.

What about the challenge of meeting the needs of a broader set of customers?

Question: The MPA is a very flexible platform and has been in high demand by many customers.
That is both an opportunity and a challenge.

Answer: What it means it that is we will have to prioritize the missions and the customer base for the new
systems and capabilities.

We have a large, expansive ocean that we need to patrol around Australia, a large region of interest and
we have a small number of assets.
Second Line of Defense

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