US Navy 737s with bite in Australia

[markis10]

Its unlikely you will come across them but just in case there are two USN P8 Poseidon aircraft in Australia working with our sub fleet while based in Pearce WA, these aircraft are slated to replace the P3 eventually both in the US and in Australia. They can be armed with missiles/torpedos/sonar buoys and have a distinctive profile thanks to the hardpoints on the wing as well as the underbelly sensor package that looks like a pouch. Both aircraft transited through AMB recently.

 

[Sifor]

Looks mean, nice stuff. The good thing about the SLAM-ER is that it is capable of attacking both land and sea targets. Would love to see Aus get these!

 

[markis10]

One caught on departure from Amberley by the Jetspotter team:

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx14/reaviationimages/USNP8167955.jpg

Jetspotter.com • View topic - Amberley Movements

 

[juddles]

There was a good article about them in the May (?) edition of Australian Aviation.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Is that replace the Orion P3, he'll what a workhorse !

Lateline will need to change their intro if that's the p3 on the standard opening spread with the tracers forming a T

 

[I hate Alan]

Is that replace the Orion P3, he'll what a workhorse !

Lateline will need to change their intro if that's the p3 on the standard opening spread with the tracers forming a T

I always thought that was a US C130 firing flares?

 

[I hate Alan]

Thanks for posting Markis, great looking A/C I certainly hope the ADF consider the Boeing's over others. I still think the Airbus tankers were a mistake.

 

[markis10]

I always thought that was a US C130 firing flares?

Yes, special forces AC130H Spectre, caught one in TSV last year, another cargo carrier with bite!

 

[Skyring]

If the Qantas/Virgin competition ramps up any more, we may see some more of these!

 

[Flying Fox]

Looks mean, nice stuff.

I would have never thought that a 737 could look mean but these do.

They seem to have different wingtips (747-8 like).

What happened to the surf-board-thingie (radar package I'm assuming) stuck to roof aft of the wing?

 

[I hate Alan]

I would have never thought that a 737 could look mean but these do.

They seem to have different wingtips (747-8 like).

What happened to the surf-board-thingie (radar package I'm assuming) stuck to roof aft of the wing?

thats the wedgetail early warning 737 your thinking off. they are being "built up" in Amberley as we speak. one was at Avalon last year.

 

[markis10]

I would have never thought that a 737 could look mean but these do.

They seem to have different wingtips (747-8 like).

What happened to the surf-board-thingie (radar package I'm assuming) stuck to roof aft of the wing?

Are you getting your Wedgetails confused with your Poseidons, one is Air Sea Warfare while one is AWACs!

 

[Flying Fox]

Oh you guys are correct.

I should check the brochure more carefully before I order either.

So does the Poseidon have a 747-8 type wingtip?

 

[markis10]

Oh you guys are correct.

I should check the brochure more carefully before I order either.

So does the Poseidon have a 747-8 type wingtip?

Its called a raked wingtip and offers better performance than a winglet when gate space is not an issue for aircraft that have a long range/ loiter capability.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I always thought that was a US C130 firing flares?

Yes you are most probably correct! I just threw that one in!!!

 

[AVC]

Lateline will need to change their intro if that's the p3 on the standard opening spread with the tracers forming a T

Tracers are weapon rounds that burn. Normally every 4th or 5th round. So you can track your firing into the target.

The T shaped flares are decoys designed to throw off heat seekers.