Page 62 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

And the US Navy is finding this “add-on” as something of significance for the US as well.

I have visited the Australian and British bases where the P-8s and, in the case of the Aussies, the Triton is being
stood up. And I have talked with the Norwegians during my visit in February about their thinking with regard
to the coming MDA enterprise.

It is clear from these discussions, that they see an F-35 like working relationship being essential to shaping a
common operational enterprise where shared data and decision making enhance the viability of the various
nation’s defense and security efforts.

During my visit to RAAF Edinburgh, which is near Adelaide in South Australia where the Aussies will build their
new submarines, I had a chance to discuss the standup of the base and to look at the facilities being built
there.

As with the F-35, new facilities need to be built to support a 21st century combat aircraft where data, and
decision-making tools are rich and embedded into the aircraft operations.

At the heart of the enterprise is a large facility where Triton and P-8 operators have separate spaces but
they are joined by a unified operations center.

It is a walk through area, which means that cross learning between the two platforms will be highlighted.

This is especially important as the two platforms are software upgradeable and the Aussies might well wish to
modify the mission systems of both platforms to meet evolving Australian requirements.

FIGURE 18 P-8 AND TRITON INTEGRATED FACILITY BEING BUILT AT RAAF EDINBOURGH, NEAR ADELAIDE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. CREDIT:
AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

And in discussions with senior RAAF personnel, the advantage of working with the US Navy and other partners
from the ground up on the program was highlighted.

“In some ways, it is like having a two nation F-35 program. Because we are a cooperative partner, we have a
stake and say in the evolution of the aircraft.

"And this is particularly important because the aircraft is software upgradeable.

"This allows us working with the USN to drive the innovation of the aircraft and its systems going forward.”

“We’ve been allowed to grow and develop our requirements collectively. We think this is very far sighted by
the USN as well. I think we’ve got the ability to influence the USN, and the USN have had the ability to
influence us in many of the ways that we do things.”
Second Line of Defense

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