The Queensland Division of Engineers Australia have awarded Boeing an Engineering Excellence Award, in the Resource Development category, for Boeing Defence Australia’s best practices in support of Australia’s F-111 strike aircraft fleet.
“For almost 15 years, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has implemented innovative maintenance and engineering practices for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) aging F-111 aircraft to ensure the platform’s air superiority, despite the emergence of more modern fighter/bomber aircraft,” said John Duddy, managing director and vice president of BDA.
“We have worked closely with the RAAF on key projects to keep the F-111 flying safely and effectively, such as the Avionics Upgrade Program, hardware/software installations, and Wing Sustainment Program,” Duddy added.
Australia received its first F-111 aircraft — a replacement for the F-100, F-101 and F-105 that could operate at speeds exceeding Mach 2, at altitudes up to 60,000 feet, and in all weather conditions — in July 1968. A full fleet was in operation by June 1973.
The RAAF has been the sole operator of the F-111 since 1998, when the U.S. Air Force retired its F-111s from service. BDA provides maintenance and engineering support for Australia’s F-111 fleet at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.
The F-111s will be officially retired from service at the end of next year.
Source: Boeing
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October 6, 2009 at 2:02 am