The Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion first entered military service in 1962, with the current P-3C first introduced in 1969. It is the ‘work horse’ of the Royal Australian Air Force Maritime Patrol Group (MPG). An extremely versatile aircraft, the Orion performs well in a multitude of roles including Under Sea (anti submarine) and Surface (anti ship) Warfare, Maritime Surveillance, Naval Fleet Support and Search and Survivor Supply. MPG, located at RAAF Edinburgh, 25km north of Adelaide, South Australia, is responsible for conducting long-range surveillance missions within Australia’s Economic Exclusion Zone and throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The significantly upgraded Australian Orions, designated AP-3C, were introduced into service in 2002 and are fitted with a variety of sensors, including digital multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro optics detection (infra-red and visual), magnetic anomaly detector, identification Friend or Foe and acoustic detection.
AP-3C Orion flight training is conducted primarily in two simulators, the Advanced Flight Simulator and the Operational Mission Simulator. MPG’s wartime missions include locating and attacking enemy submarines and ships using torpedoes and Harpoon anti-shipping missiles. The Orion may work alone, or in conjunction with other aircraft or ships. MPG also assists in Search and Rescue operations throughout Australia’s region of responsibility by conducting Search and Survivor Supply (SASS) missions.
MPG’s tasks are conducted by No. 92 Wing, which was formed in 1977 and is the first Maritime Wing in the history of the Royal Australian Air Force. The operational squadrons of 92 Wing are Nos. 10 and 11 Squadrons, which have histories dating back to World War II, where they operated successfully throughout Europe, Australia and the Pacific. No. 292 Squadron is responsible for the training of 92 Wing air and ground crew, while the Maritime Acceptance, Test and Evaluation Unit is responsible for the acceptance of new aircraft systems into MPG.