This combined domestic and foreign military sale further strengthens the growing partnership between the U.S. Navy and the RAAF on the P-8 program.
The system utilizes simulators to train pilots and mission crews to operate the aircraft, its sensors, communications and weapons systems without relying on costly live flights.
Boeing currently provides P-8A aircrew training devices, electronic classrooms and courseware for the Navy at its 165,000-square-foot Integrated Training Center (ITC) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where the goal is to shift majority of the training to the ITC.
In February 2014, the Australian government approved the acquisition of eight P-8As and supporting infrastructure to include training and initial spares and support equipment. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017, the P8-A training system is expected to be delivered to Australia in 2018.
Meanwhile, at a ceremony held last week at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in northern Queensland, Australia commissioned their first two Boeing CH-47F Chinook advanced configuration aircraft. It’s a major milestone in the updating of the Australian Army’s cargo helicopter fleet.
The acquisition is part of an ongoing transformation that’s allowing Australia to build one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced armed forces. Five additional new Chinooks will be delivered this year, eventually replacing an existing fleet of six older CH-47D Chinooks.
Australia was among the Chinook’s first international customers and now there are almost twenty countries operating the helicopter.
The Australian Chinook fleet is flown by the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment, 16th Aviation Brigade. Under the scope of the contract, Boeing Defence Australia will provide delivery and on-site operational maintenance support to the seven aircraft.
