Page 24 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2021

24 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
POSEIDON FLEET MODIFICATIONS COMPLETE
BETTINA MEARS | DEFENCE
A SIGNIFICANT capability milestone has been achieved for Air Force’s P-8A Posei- don platform.
Operated by units under the command of No. 92 Wing, the P-8A Poseidon fleet underwent extensive modifications over a period of 12 months to support future up- grades to the capability.
LEFT: Group Captain John Grime stands with staff and personnel from Surveillance and Response Systems Program Office, No. 92 Wing and Boeing.
The completion of the modification program was marked with the finalisation of works on P-8A Poseidon aircraft A47- 006 on July 28 at RAAF Base Edinburgh, near Adelaide in South Australia.
The works were carried out by Boeing in partnership with personnel from the P-8A Enterprise, which includes sup- porting elements from Boeing Defence Australia, Airbus Australia Pacific, No. 92 Wing and Surveillance and Response Systems Program Office.
Officer Commanding No. 92 Wing Group Captain John Grime said it was an important capability outcome.
“The P-8A fleet is now future-proofed and ready for the technical upgrades that lie ahead,” Group Captain Grime said.
“This tranche of modifications included wiring upgrades to expand and enhance the mission systems fitted to the aircraft and improve interoperability; as well as networking for air-to-air, air-to-ship and air-to-ground communications in support of the joint force.
“These modifications will position the P-8A Poseidon as the premium maritime surveillance aircraft in the world.
“The project forms part of the P-8A Cooperative Program, which continues to deliver important capability outcomes, achieving results through seamless and highly successful Air Force and Defence industry collaboration.
“92 Wing is really proud of our con- tribution to these projects and our role in these partnerships, which ensures we maintain the capability edge for Australia and our coalition partners.”
ADM understands that the defect in the main engine has been experienced pre- viously on HMAS Diamantina but is not considered an issue across the other Huon class vessels.
In January, Defence made a down-select decision to explore a variant of the OPVs for the new Mine Countermeasures and Survey Vessels under Project Sea 1905 Phase 1, which will replace the Huon class from the middle of this decade.
RECURRING ENGINE DEFECT STRANDS HMAS DIAMANTINA
EWEN LEVICK | MELBOURNE
HMAS Diamantina was stranded in Vanu- atu in September following the detection of a recurring ‘defect’ in the main engine.
The ABC reported that the Huon class minehunter was stuck in Port Vila, Vanu- atu as a maintenance team arrived on board the MV Sycamore to fix the problem.
Defence said it expected the ship to return to Australia under its own power, contrary to media reports that it may have had to be towed home.
The minehunter was in Vanuatu to pro- vide maritime surveillance as the country stands up its Guardian class patrol boat.
“Defence can confirm that HMAS Diamantina, a Huon-Class Minehunter Coastal vessel, developed a maintenance issue that delayed its planned return from
Port Vila in Vanuatu back to Australia,” a spokesperson said.
“The Defence-contracted vessel MV Sycamore sailed from Sydney to Vanuatu with a maintenance team and equipment to support repairs and HMAS Diamantina is expected to return to Australia under her own power.
“The movement of personnel across both vessels is being managed in a CO- VID-safe manner in order to prevent per- sonnel from either vessel interacting with the local community.”
RIGHT: The Huon class minehunter was stuck in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
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