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| Project AIR 7000 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Project AIR 7000 |
| Country | Australia |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Initiated | 2010s |
| Operator | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Purpose | Airborne early warning and control, maritime patrol, surveillance |
| Contractors | Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Airbus, Leonardo |
Project AIR 7000
Project AIR 7000 is an Australian defence acquisition program to provide long-range airborne surveillance, command and control, and maritime patrol capabilities for the Royal Australian Air Force. The project links to regional security imperatives shaped by events such as the South China Sea arbitration case, interactions with the United States, and multilateral exercises including RIMPAC and Talisman Sabre. It engages major defence suppliers and research institutions across the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Japan, and Sweden.
The program aims to replace legacy platforms exemplified by previous patrol and early warning fleets like the AP-3C Orion and to provide capabilities comparable with systems fielded by Royal Air Force, United States Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, French Navy, and Italian Air Force. Objectives include persistent maritime domain awareness supporting operations referenced in doctrines such as the 2016 Defence White Paper, the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, and interoperability frameworks like ANZUS and Five Eyes. AIR 7000 seeks to integrate sensors from contractors with pedigrees demonstrated in programmes such as E-7 Wedgetail, P-8 Poseidon, E-3 Sentry, and the MQ-4C Triton.
Procurement traces through Australian capability planning cycles and cabinet decisions influenced by ministers who have appeared in parliamentary debates in the Parliament of Australia and committees such as the Defence Select Committee. Early competitive assessments referenced platforms from Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Embraer, Saab, and Alenia. Financial approvals echoed processes used in acquisitions like the Hobart-class destroyer and the Submarine Enterprise Project (SEA 1000), with reviews by bodies including the Australian National Audit Office and consultations with allied procurement organisations such as NATO agencies.
AIR 7000 has been delineated into discrete phases aligning with acquisition models similar to Project Air 6500 and Land 400. Contracts have included systems integration work awarded or competed among firms including BAE Systems, Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., Raytheon Technologies, and General Dynamics. Milestones referenced in formal schedules mirror those from acquisition frameworks used in programmes like the F-35 Lightning II and the P-8A Poseidon acquisition for the Royal Australian Navy. Trials and test events have drawn participants from research centres such as CSIRO and academic partners including the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales.
Platform candidates have included the Boeing 737 AEW&C, the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, derivatives of the Airbus A320neo family, and offerings from Lockheed Martin incorporating technologies proven in the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III lines. Sensor suites evaluated included active electronically scanned array radars developed by Northrop Grumman, signal processing suites from Harris Corporation, electro-optical systems from FLIR Systems, and acoustic processing derived from projects like AN/APS-137. Modifications considered structural changes paralleling upgrades on the E-7 Wedgetail and anti-submarine warfare systems similar to those on the P-8A.
Operational concepts drew on doctrines exercised in multinational operations such as Operation Resolute, Operation Gateway, Operation Atalanta, and exercises like Pitch Black and Cope North. Integration priorities emphasized interoperability with Royal Australian Navy vessels including the ANZAC-class frigate, Hobart-class destroyer, and Canberra-class amphibious assault ship, as well as data sharing with allied assets from the United States Navy, Royal Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Navy. Training, basing, and sustainment planning referenced facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh, RAAF Base Amberley, and cooperative logistics networks used for platforms such as the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Budgetary planning invoked precedents from major Australian projects like Air 5438 and SEA 4000, with cost estimates scrutinised by the Parliamentary Budget Office and the Australian National Audit Office. Industrial benefits agreements sought local content through suppliers such as Defence Science and Technology Group, subcontractors in the Victorian and South Australian defence industries, and partnerships with multinational firms including Boeing Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Thales Australia, BAE Systems Australia, and Raytheon Australia. Export potential and offsets mirrored arrangements from deals such as the Boxer CRV acquisition and aerospace collaborations with Qantas engineering divisions.
The program experienced scrutiny similar to controversies in acquisitions like the Air Warfare Destroyer programme and debates around the Collins-class submarine sustainment. Reviews by parliamentary committees, independent auditors, and international consultancy assessments examined cost growth, schedule slippage, and capability trade-offs. Political discussions have involved ministers from administrations comparable to portfolios held during the procurement of the F-35 Lightning II and public debates in outlets aligned with reporting on defence by organisations such as Australian Strategic Policy Institute and think tanks like Lowy Institute.
Category:Royal Australian Air Force procurement projects