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As part of the government’s commitment to replace the ageing P-3C Orion maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft with the next-generation P-8A Poseidon, Defence is redeveloping key basing infrastructure to support the basing of the new capability. This is a brief overview of AIR 7000 Phase 2 and update of the program.
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With the nation's new P-8A Poseidon aircraft demonstrating their lethality and broader command and control capabilities, AIR 7000 Phase 2 is preparing the critical infrastructure to support the arrival of the 12 strong fleet of aircraft.
The $521 million program includes capital infrastructure works at key RAAF and Navy facilities that will host P-8 Poseidon aircraft, including:
- RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA;
- RAAF Base Darwin, NT;
- RAAF Base Pearce, WA;
- RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland; and
- HMAS Stirling, WA.
The proposed facilities include administration, operations, simulation and training, maintenance hangars, workshops to conduct operational level maintenance, aircraft pavements, aircraft rinse facilities, explosive ordnance facilities and associated engineering services.
RAAF Base Edinburgh works: The proposed 92 Wing facility will provide a Hangar Maintenance and Operational Facility and an Operational Conversion Facility in a secure environment to support P-8A Poseidon operations.
The proposed 92 Wing facility includes the following:
- Hangar Maintenance and Operational Facility;
- Operational Conversion Facility (OCF);
- Airfield works, including runway extensions, taxiway and runway threshold expansion, aircraft rinse facilities;
- Engineering infrastructure; and
- Carparking.
RAAF Base Darwin works: The proposed 92 Wing facility in Darwin will provide a Hangar Maintenance and Operational Facility that houses the aircrew and maintenance teams in a secure environment to support P-8A Poseidon operations, and will include the following:
- Hangar Maintenance and Operational Facility;
- Airfield works including, aircraft rinse facility, parking apron expansions, fuel hydrant lines; and
- Engineering infrastructure.
RAAF Base Townsville works:
- Runway extensions;
- Redevelopment of existing maritime ordnance loading aprons; and
- Aircraft rinse facility.
RAAF Base Pearce works:
- Runway extensions;
- Parking apron upgrade and expansions;
- Aircraft rinse facility; and
- Redevelopment of the existing ordnance loading apron.
HMAS Stirling works: The proposed works at HMAS Stirling include construction of a new earth-covered building for the storage of explosive ordnance, and refurbishment to the existing torpedo maintenance facility to accommodate additional MK-54 torpedo testing and maintenance equipment.
More information is available
