Philip Smart | Adelaide
Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant James Pears became the first Australian pilot to fly the P-8A Poseidon at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, United States yesterday, flying as part of a four hour sortie in the vicinity of the Naval Air Station.
Led by Squadron Leader Arran Moore, Australia has a team of seven aircrew training on the P-8A Poseidon with the US Navy, ahead of its introduction into the RAAF fleet.
The aircraft handles well and performs to expectations; the levels of automation and assistance to the pilot are amazing over that offered by the AP-3C," Squadron Leader Moore said.
The RAAF is set to receive eight P-8A Poseidon aircraft, with the first to be delivered in 2017 to RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, with all eight planned to be fully operational by 2021.
Based on Boeing's 737 Next Generation airframe, the P-8A Poseidon can conduct search and rescue, anti-submarine and maritime strike missions, in addition to patrolling Australia's extensive maritime approaches.
It will replace the Air Force's aging AP-3C Orions that have served Australia for four decades.
The United States Navy has integrated the Australians within Patrol Squadron 10 (VP-10) for the transition to the P-8A.
Commanding Officer of VP-10 Commander James Johnston said having the Australians embedded within the squadron was a tremendous benefit to the unit.
Not only do we all benefit from the varied backgrounds and experiences, the level of interoperability that having such an integrated team builds is world class," he said.
Following their transition onto the P-8A, the Australian contingent will remain in the US and provide additional instructional resources to the US Navy (Patrol Squadron 30), as they continue their transition to the P-8A as well as training the first Australian crews beginning in 2016.
"Our hosts have made us an integral part of the unit which has assisted our smooth transition onto the P-8A," Squadron Leader Moore said.
The Government will consider options for further P-8A Poseidon aircraft, subject to the outcomes of the next Defence White Paper.