Saturday, March 11, 2017

Australian International Air Show 2017 - RAAF Lockheed AP-3C Orion A9-751

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) went to lengths to provide the Australian International Air Show with a number of military aircraft enabling the public to take a closer look at some of the platforms currently operated by the air arm of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
 
Among the extensive display of aircraft enjoyed by thousands of spectators was Lockheed AP-3C Orion A9-751, and is one of fifteen Orion's remaining in service with the RAAF.
 
In 2014, the Royal Australian Air Force began the gradual draw-down of the current maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet when three AP-3C's were removed from service in preparation for replacement by a mixture of manned Boeing P-8A Poseidon's and unmanned Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton's.