Torpedoes have been successfully dropped for the first time from the Maritime Patrol Group's modified AP-3C Orion aircraft.

Two of the AP-3C Orions, flown by crews from No. 92 Wing as part of the operational test and evaluation (OT&E) process, dropped the weapons during a Torpedo Exercise (TORPEX) off the coast of Western Australia.

Four P-3C aircraft were also involved in the TORPEX to prove weapons and hone the skills of crews yet to transition to the new aircraft.

Wing Commander Dick Larking, who is responsible for the 92WG OT&E process, said that since taking delivery of the first AP-3C aircraft late last year, the Wing had been conducting a program of operational test and evaluation to ensure the new aircraft was safe and effective in its various roles.

'So far, basic safety testing of the aircraft and the conduct of the Search and Survivor Supply role has been completed. While analysis of test results is still under way, there appears to be no major problems,' said WGCDR Larking.

'Testing has now progressed to look at Surveillance and Anti-Submarine Warfare. The ASW testing phase includes proving the capability of the aircraft to detect, track and kill an enemy submarine.'

AP-3C Orion Operational Test Director, Flight Lieutenant Graeme Nayler, released the first weapon.

'During the TORPEX, an Expendable Mobile Acoustic Training Target (EMATT) was used to simulate a submarine,' said FLTLT Nayler.

'The EMATT was dropped in the ocean and the crews tracked it using the on-board acoustic system, and then launched a MK46 homing torpedo to provide an 'end-to-end' test of the whole weapon system.'

The TORPEX was conducted on the Royal Australian Navy's underwater tracking range located off Fremantle, which allows a ground station to track the position of both the EMATT and torpedo.

'As we can't see the EMATT once it's dropped, data from the range allows an assessment of the accuracy of the crews tracking solution and can also measure theaccuracy of the subsequent torpedo attack,' he said.

FLTLT Nayler said the data retrieved from the range indicated the weapon delivery phase of the ASW evaluation was successful. The process will now move forward to look at the aircraft's ability to track and detect submarines.

Officer Commanding 92WG Group Captain Steve Martin said future testing would progress to the remaining AP-3C roles, including direct support to RAN forces and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare, and will hopefully culminate with the live firing of two Harpoon anti-ship missiles during Exercise RIMPAC in July this year.

'Our personnel are confident that the combination of the new EL/2022 radar, with the previously introduced ALR-2001 ESM system (which detects and identifies other platforms' radars), will give the ADF the best maritime patrol capability in the world,' said GPCAPT Martin.

'This will be even further enhanced when the latest 'Star Safire II' electro-optical surveillance system is fitted to the AP-3C later this year.'

By Deanna Nott