Page 14 - Australian Defence Magazine Sep-Oct 2022

14 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
BOEING COMMENCES FIRST P-8A DEEPER MAINTENANCE IN AUSTRALIA
BOEING Defence Australia has com- menced major maintenance, repair, and overhaul work on the RAAF’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft following upgrades to the hangar at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Known as deeper maintenance, the program of works occurs after around 72 months of service, when aircraft are typi- cally returned to the original equipment manufacturer’s facilities for in-depth, com- plex and specialised maintenance services.
LEFT: An RAAF P-8A Poseidon prepares for take-off in Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific
The RAAF’s P-8A fleet will un- dergo deeper main- tenance at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, bypassing the need
to be sent back to the United States. “Taking on the planned deeper main- tenance program is a considerable ex- tension of BDA’s local P-8A credentials, a boost to Australian capability, and en- sures enhanced mission readiness for the ADF’s high-demand P-8A fleet,” Darryn Fletcher, Boeing Defence Australia direc- tor of commercial derivative aircraft, said. “It also has positive implications for other
P-8 operators in the region.”
Core to the commencement of the deeper maintenance program was the rapid modi- fication of an existing hangar at RAAF Ed- inburgh, the home of the P-8A fleet.
“A new purpose-built hangar will be commissioned in 2025 but, with deeper maintenance scheduled to commence this year, we were part of a group led by Defence and including RAAF and local industry, to modify a hangar on base to accommodate the extended facilities required for deeper maintenance.Thisenablesustomeetour contractual obligations without sending theaircraftinterstateandkeepsallP-8A servicing under one roof,” said Fletcher.
Defence released a statement explain- ing that modification of the existing han- gar by Defence industry partners Ventia and McMahons was necessary because the P-8A Poseidon is the largest aircraft to permanently operate from RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The facility will enable the overhaul of up to three aircraft each year, completing a deeper maintenance cycle approximate- ly every 120 days.
ARMY UNVEILS ELECTRIC BUSHMASTER
ARMYhasunveiledan‘electricBushmas- ter’; the electric Protected Military Ve- hicle (ePMV).
Assistant Minister for Defence Matt This- tlethwaite said the ePMV was a key part of Army’s efforts to become Future Ready.
“We have seen great success with Aus- tralian designed and built vehicles keep- ing personnel safe under fire and the new ePMV represents the next innovative stage in that tradition,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.
“This ePMV brings the benefits of elec- tric vehicles to the battlefield, particularly being quieter than its combustion coun- terparts, and I look forward to seeing it perform in field trials.”
The ePMV was showcased at the Chief of Army Symposium, a three day event bringing together Australian-led technol- ogy, industry partnerships and innovation.
the symposium gave ADF personnel and industry partners the chance to get hands-on with the latest technology to support the ‘Future Ready’ Army.
“As we are seeing around the world today, modern military personnel are joined on their missions by machines. This symposium enables Army to work
RIGHT: Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite unveils a Bushmaster Electric Protected Mobility Vehicle during the Chief of Army Symposium 2022
withindustrytoexplorenewandemerg- ing technologies,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.
“It is vital we support the exploration and development of these technologies, creating innovative advantages for the ADF while supporting Australian indus- try and jobs.”
Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said
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