Star turn for Orions

More state-of-the-art surveillance equipment is on the way for our Orions and their hardworking crews.

NO. 92 Wing’s AP-3Cs are to be equipped with the new electro-optical Star SAFIRE III surveillance system.

US company FLIR Systems Inc will provide 10 of the sophisticated systems under a $10 million deal. The Star SAFIRE III systems are expected to be in service by early 2005.

Five AP-3Cs are already equipped with the Star SAFIRE II surveillance system that has been used in Operations Relex and Slipper.

The newest system will provide the AP-3Cs with an enhanced capability to detect, identify and gain intelligence on targets of interest.

The aircraft will be able to collect images with greater magnification and resolution by day and night.

Eventually the systems will be integrated with the AP-3C data management systems so that the images can be transmitted off-board. The system will also be incorporated into training simulators.

The Government announcement on the improved capability comes at a time when 92WG’s hardworking personnel have clocked up an impressive 7000 flying hours in support of Op Relex.

No. 10 Squadron’s crew 1 reached the milestone during a recent surveillance patrol of Australia’s northern approaches.

Orions have been an integral part of the operation since it began in August 2001 when four aircraft, their crews and maintenance personnel deployed at short notice to RAAF Base Learmonth.

Crews flew sorties of up to 12 hours to provide a permanent detection capability for the interception of vessels attempting to illegally smuggle people to Australian shores.

Since then the Wing had flown more than 850 missions and now maintains a permanent detachment at RAAF Base Darwin, flying numerous missions a week.

The current operational tempo for 92WG is high. As well as Op Relex, two Orions are deployed to the Middle East and another three crews are participating in a US joint fleet exercise off San Diego.

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