Australian P-8A Fleet Damaged by Hailstorm

14 Januari 2022

RAAF P-8A Poseidon (photo : Aus DoD)

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) is assessing the damage done to its fleet of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime multimission aircraft (MMA) following “a severe weather event” last year.

A DoD spokesperson told Janes on 13 January that a hailstorm in South Australia had affected an undisclosed number of Poseidons, and that the aircraft are being inspected to determine the extent of the damage.

“As a result of a severe weather event on 28 October 2021, a number of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon aircraft based at RAAF Base Edinburgh incurred impact damage from hailstones. A detailed and comprehensive inspection programme has been undertaken to assess the damage and implement repairs. [The] RAAF continues to be able to complete operational tasking and has sufficient aircraft to meet readiness requirements,” the DoD said.

While the department did not say how many Poseidons were involved in the incident.

(Jane's)