Squadron Leader Simon Jenson’s maintainers and suppliers know their aircraft inside out. It’s no wonder – they swarm all over them night and day to ensure the P-3K Orions are air worthy and able to meet commitments.
When an aircraft returns from a sortie, it is replenished and checked, and any faults rectified. Because radar and infrared detection systems are vital for search and rescues, a "great deal of effort" says Squadron Leader Jenson, goes into those areas.
What needs the most attention? "The electrical systems. The aircraft have a huge array of systems and there are a lot of ways they can "break". Mostly the effect is on the mission capability – whether the aircraft can do what it plans to do – rather than the safety of the aircraft. The unreliability of the aging mission systems is our biggest challenge."
Parts are in short supply as they are no longer manufactured, and ingenuity is often required to keep the Orions operational.
Work begins this year on a major upgrade of the P-3K Orion fleet. The mission systems and communication and navigation equipment will be upgraded together, with the two projects running in parallel to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness.
The upgrade will involve the installation of new sensor systems, communications systems, an integrated data handling system, and a flight deck upgrade. This will provide a significant increase in capability for the P-3K’s and improved the effectiveness and supportability of the aircraft.