AP-3C Orions

AP-3C ORION AIRCRAFT THROUGH-LIFE SUPPORT

  • Value
    $1 billion,  multi-year Sustainment Program
  • Key Partners
    Accord Alliance  - Australian Aerospace, BAE Systems Australia and Defence Materiel Organisation
  • Project Overview

    A multi-year sustainment program for capability upgrades and through-life support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s AP-3C Orion aircraft. The program, run by the AP-3C Alliance (Australian Aerospace, BAE Systems Australia and the Defence Materiel Organisation), will continue until the aircraft’s planned withdrawal from service in 2018.

    A recently-announced $68 million program (CAP 1) will equip the AP-3C fleet with modern electro-optic/ infrared sensors, a high data-rate communications system with other ships and aircraft (tactical common data link), and a replacement video recorder system.

    More than 100 highly skilled engineers and tradespeople have been recruited to the program, and an additional 200 will be needed.

  • Project Milestones
    Nov 2005 Australian Government, Tenix Defence (now BAE Systems) and Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace (AA) signed the P3 Accord Master Agreement
    Dec 2006 Australian Aerospace signed a 9-year, $201 million contract for deeper maintenance of the RAAF’s AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft
    May 2007 BAE Systems Australia signed a $76 million contract for the upgrade to the AP-3C Orion’s Electronic Surveillance System to be operational by 2011
    Aug 2008 Australian Government announced a $68 million program (CAP 1) for additional equipment