With a contract signed with Boeing Defense Australia, the Australian government will upgrade the software, systems, and sensors of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The disclosed information mentions that the first two aircraft will undergo the Increment 3 Block 2 modification, while the other fleet of 12 will be completed by Boeing Defence Australia at the RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. The agreement between both parties has a total cost of USD 139.5 million, with a stipulated completion time of four years.
It is worth noting that the United States Navy delivered the first Poseidon P-8A to be modified with Block 2 Increment 3 capabilities on March 27th, aiming to enhance anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Furthermore, the P-8A is one of the few ASW platforms with significant long-range ASW and ISR capabilities. This upgrade involves enhancements to its airframe and avionics systems, including new racks, radomes, antennas, sensors, and wiring.
The modification incorporates a new suite of combat systems with improved computer processing and enhanced security architecture, a broadband satellite communication system, ASW signal intelligence capability, a tracking management system, and additional communication and acoustic systems to enhance search, detection, and targeting capabilities.
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