I thought I'd list the features of Australias upgraded Orions, These now have the designator AP-3C. On their first outing the AP-3C's won the annual Fincastle ASW Competition. This was against RCAF Aurora's, RAF Nimrod MR-2/3's and RNZAF P3-K's.
AP-3C Launching a Mk 46 Torpedo
Aim of the Project
Australian Defence's P-3C Update Implementation Project involves substantial modification of the RAAF P-3C Orion fleet and provision of a new range of mission and engineering support systems at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA. The aim of the project is to prolong the operational life of the Orions by reducing aircraft operating weight and enhancing their maritime surveillance capability. This will be achieved by replacing outdated and difficult to maintain systems with modern, more capable systems. The major components that will be replaced are the aircraft's mission computer, radar, acoustic tracking system, navigation system, communications equipment and some cockpit displays.
Two other phases of Air 5276 also contributed to the life extension of the P-3 Orion. These are Air 5276 Ph2B, which provided for the acquisition and modification of three Ex-USN P-3B aircraft into TAP-3 aircraft, and Air 5276 Ph3, Advanced Flight Simulator , which is to provide a modern, high fidelity flight simulator.
Aircraft Refurbishment
The first P-3C aircraft was modified at L-3 Communications (formerly Raytheon) facilities at Greenville, TEXAS in the USA. Modification and flight testing of the remainder of the fleet is being carried out at the L-3 Communications Australia facilities at Avalon Airfield, 40 km to the South West of Melbourne. Half of the fleet of AP-3C aircraft has been delivered to the Commonwealth to date, with the last aircraft expected to be complete in late 2004. To facilitate the Avalon production program, the P3 Production Resident Office (P3PRO) has been established on-site at Avalon to work closely with the L-3 Communications on-site team throughout the production phase. Air Force and the DMO formally accepted the AP-3C aircraft design on 18 Jul 2002. Supplemental Type Certification and Service Release for the AP-3C were granted in Nov 02.
Radar
The Radar System is a modern lightweight software reconfigurable radar produced by Elta. The system uses a Planar Array antennae and is based upon a previously developed fighter fire control radar. The new radar provides 360º coverage.
The Radar System provides pencil or COSEC squared beams, which are electrically selectable and steerable, auto and manual tilt controls, and has low side and back lobes. The radar has a track while scan capability. The radar provides a range of imaging and detection modes, including:
LSS - Long Range Surface Surveillance,
ASW - small targets in high sea states,
Nav and Weather (also controllable by the flight station,
Range Profiling - provides the operator with the length of the vessel and a stick figure outline,
SAR - provides an image of surface contacts in very low sea states,
ISAR - provides an image of the target in higher sea states.
The target resolution for the new radar is comparable to the best imaging radars currently available. To aid the operator in identification of these classification images, the system includes tools for measuring features on the target. Once analysed, the images are recorded for post flight processing in the MRAM. Last updated: 7 June 2004
Acoustics
The new acoustic system for the aircraft is the UYS 503 built by General Dynamics Canada (DC) and is a development of the system used on Royal Australian Navy Seahawk. On the AP-3C the acoustic system is normally assigned to Sensor Station 1 and 2.
The UYS 503 is a modern acoustic processor that uses a number of new techniques to search for broadband, narrow-band, and transient noise sources.
MAD
The AP-3C also uses the CAE Advanced Integrated MAD (AN/ASQ-504) system. The updated MAD was implemented ahead of the production line to enable fatigue life extension and improved perfromance.
Electro Optics
IRDS
The aircraft is retaining the Texas Instruments AAS36 InfraRed system. However, on the AP-3C, each station will be able to display IRDS video.
Note:
1. As part of follow-on Project Air 5276 Phase 5A – the IRDS systems are being replaced by the FLIR Systems International (FSI) Star Safire III – a later generation Electro Optical System that provides significantly greater performance. Phase 5A should be installed by the end of 2004. Last updated: 7 June 2004
Navigation
The heart of the Navigation System (NAV) is two Honeywell H764G Embedded GPS/INUs (EGI). Output from these sources is processed in the Avionics Processor to provide real-time world wide positioning and attitude data. For those who know about GEO and TACNAV, it should be noted that in this system, all work is performed in GEO NAV. A single GEO NAV solution is maintained by the Navigation System, and supplied to other subsystems, including the DMS, where single and multi buoy drifts are applied and maintained.
The system is controlled through the two CDUs at the Flight Stations and one CDU at the NAVCOMM station. The CDU provides:
control of the EGI and NAV system,
waypoint entry and modification,
control of flight plans and navigation aids,
DMS data entry,
Control of RADAR in the weather and Navigation modes, and
Control of NAVAID / approach and departure capabilities.
Last updated: 7 June 2004
Communications
The new Communications System provides high quality voice, data, and teletype communication across UHF, VHF, and HF. The system is capable of receiving and transmitting in simultaneous operations (SIMOP) modes including plain voice, secure voice, TTY and data link (Link 11). All radios are controlled through the Common Display Units (CDU), with the exception of the SATCOM Radio. The radio equipment replacement list includes:
2 HF’s with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) and Selective Calling (SELCAL) The AP-3C HF radios are from the Collins HF 9500 family,
VHFs (AM/FM and DF) (Hughes/Magnavox),
UHF with Have Quick II (Hughes/Magnavox),
UHF MILSATCOM (DAMA/nonDAMA) (Titan Linkabit),
Link Modem (General Atronics), and
TTY Modem.
The refurbishment will also include replacement of the Inter-Communication System (ICS) (Palomar). Last updated: 7 June 2004
Data Management System
The heart of the mission system is the Data Management System (DMS), including a central processing unit known as the DDC-060. This system is an enhanced derivative of the AN/ASQ-212, manufactured by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Navy. The DMS system integrates new and existing hardware and uses many of the existing SRUs at the card level. As well as a slightly different architecture and larger memory, the enhanced processing is achieved through the use of Motorola 68060 processors.
Two dual redundant 1553 buses are central to the overall mission system architecture. One bus controls the sensor and weapon systems, while the other bus controls Navigation and Communication with Processing in dual Avionics Processors.
The DMS provides a Man Machine interface, allowing each Tactical Crew Member the ability to access common data and video display capabilities except SS4 and the flight station. The flight station has access to all tactical data and radar video. SS4 retains its current functionality with the added ability to display IRDS on the 19" screen. Functionally, the DMS retains the intent of all existing functions. However, some functions may be redundant and new capabilities have been added because of improved technology. Some of the new capabilities include:
the use of colour,
display of RADAR, IRDS, ESM, and Acoustic video at stations other than the prime station,
flexible use of windows,
Online Harpoon Launch capabilities, and
display of coastline maps and bottom contours. Last updated: 7 June 2004
AP-3C Launching a Mk 46 Torpedo
Aim of the Project
Australian Defence's P-3C Update Implementation Project involves substantial modification of the RAAF P-3C Orion fleet and provision of a new range of mission and engineering support systems at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA. The aim of the project is to prolong the operational life of the Orions by reducing aircraft operating weight and enhancing their maritime surveillance capability. This will be achieved by replacing outdated and difficult to maintain systems with modern, more capable systems. The major components that will be replaced are the aircraft's mission computer, radar, acoustic tracking system, navigation system, communications equipment and some cockpit displays.
Two other phases of Air 5276 also contributed to the life extension of the P-3 Orion. These are Air 5276 Ph2B, which provided for the acquisition and modification of three Ex-USN P-3B aircraft into TAP-3 aircraft, and Air 5276 Ph3, Advanced Flight Simulator , which is to provide a modern, high fidelity flight simulator.
Aircraft Refurbishment
The first P-3C aircraft was modified at L-3 Communications (formerly Raytheon) facilities at Greenville, TEXAS in the USA. Modification and flight testing of the remainder of the fleet is being carried out at the L-3 Communications Australia facilities at Avalon Airfield, 40 km to the South West of Melbourne. Half of the fleet of AP-3C aircraft has been delivered to the Commonwealth to date, with the last aircraft expected to be complete in late 2004. To facilitate the Avalon production program, the P3 Production Resident Office (P3PRO) has been established on-site at Avalon to work closely with the L-3 Communications on-site team throughout the production phase. Air Force and the DMO formally accepted the AP-3C aircraft design on 18 Jul 2002. Supplemental Type Certification and Service Release for the AP-3C were granted in Nov 02.
Radar
The Radar System is a modern lightweight software reconfigurable radar produced by Elta. The system uses a Planar Array antennae and is based upon a previously developed fighter fire control radar. The new radar provides 360º coverage.
The Radar System provides pencil or COSEC squared beams, which are electrically selectable and steerable, auto and manual tilt controls, and has low side and back lobes. The radar has a track while scan capability. The radar provides a range of imaging and detection modes, including:
LSS - Long Range Surface Surveillance,
ASW - small targets in high sea states,
Nav and Weather (also controllable by the flight station,
Range Profiling - provides the operator with the length of the vessel and a stick figure outline,
SAR - provides an image of surface contacts in very low sea states,
ISAR - provides an image of the target in higher sea states.
The target resolution for the new radar is comparable to the best imaging radars currently available. To aid the operator in identification of these classification images, the system includes tools for measuring features on the target. Once analysed, the images are recorded for post flight processing in the MRAM. Last updated: 7 June 2004
Acoustics
The new acoustic system for the aircraft is the UYS 503 built by General Dynamics Canada (DC) and is a development of the system used on Royal Australian Navy Seahawk. On the AP-3C the acoustic system is normally assigned to Sensor Station 1 and 2.
The UYS 503 is a modern acoustic processor that uses a number of new techniques to search for broadband, narrow-band, and transient noise sources.
MAD
The AP-3C also uses the CAE Advanced Integrated MAD (AN/ASQ-504) system. The updated MAD was implemented ahead of the production line to enable fatigue life extension and improved perfromance.
Electro Optics
IRDS
The aircraft is retaining the Texas Instruments AAS36 InfraRed system. However, on the AP-3C, each station will be able to display IRDS video.
Note:
1. As part of follow-on Project Air 5276 Phase 5A – the IRDS systems are being replaced by the FLIR Systems International (FSI) Star Safire III – a later generation Electro Optical System that provides significantly greater performance. Phase 5A should be installed by the end of 2004. Last updated: 7 June 2004
Navigation
The heart of the Navigation System (NAV) is two Honeywell H764G Embedded GPS/INUs (EGI). Output from these sources is processed in the Avionics Processor to provide real-time world wide positioning and attitude data. For those who know about GEO and TACNAV, it should be noted that in this system, all work is performed in GEO NAV. A single GEO NAV solution is maintained by the Navigation System, and supplied to other subsystems, including the DMS, where single and multi buoy drifts are applied and maintained.
The system is controlled through the two CDUs at the Flight Stations and one CDU at the NAVCOMM station. The CDU provides:
control of the EGI and NAV system,
waypoint entry and modification,
control of flight plans and navigation aids,
DMS data entry,
Control of RADAR in the weather and Navigation modes, and
Control of NAVAID / approach and departure capabilities.
Last updated: 7 June 2004
Communications
The new Communications System provides high quality voice, data, and teletype communication across UHF, VHF, and HF. The system is capable of receiving and transmitting in simultaneous operations (SIMOP) modes including plain voice, secure voice, TTY and data link (Link 11). All radios are controlled through the Common Display Units (CDU), with the exception of the SATCOM Radio. The radio equipment replacement list includes:
2 HF’s with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) and Selective Calling (SELCAL) The AP-3C HF radios are from the Collins HF 9500 family,
VHFs (AM/FM and DF) (Hughes/Magnavox),
UHF with Have Quick II (Hughes/Magnavox),
UHF MILSATCOM (DAMA/nonDAMA) (Titan Linkabit),
Link Modem (General Atronics), and
TTY Modem.
The refurbishment will also include replacement of the Inter-Communication System (ICS) (Palomar). Last updated: 7 June 2004
Data Management System
The heart of the mission system is the Data Management System (DMS), including a central processing unit known as the DDC-060. This system is an enhanced derivative of the AN/ASQ-212, manufactured by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Navy. The DMS system integrates new and existing hardware and uses many of the existing SRUs at the card level. As well as a slightly different architecture and larger memory, the enhanced processing is achieved through the use of Motorola 68060 processors.
Two dual redundant 1553 buses are central to the overall mission system architecture. One bus controls the sensor and weapon systems, while the other bus controls Navigation and Communication with Processing in dual Avionics Processors.
The DMS provides a Man Machine interface, allowing each Tactical Crew Member the ability to access common data and video display capabilities except SS4 and the flight station. The flight station has access to all tactical data and radar video. SS4 retains its current functionality with the added ability to display IRDS on the 19" screen. Functionally, the DMS retains the intent of all existing functions. However, some functions may be redundant and new capabilities have been added because of improved technology. Some of the new capabilities include:
the use of colour,
display of RADAR, IRDS, ESM, and Acoustic video at stations other than the prime station,
flexible use of windows,
Online Harpoon Launch capabilities, and
display of coastline maps and bottom contours. Last updated: 7 June 2004