F-111's Have Been Flying Down Under Since 1968
Boeing received an Engineering Excellence Award, Resource
Development category, from the Queensland Division of Engineers
Australia on Oct. 2 in Brisbane. The award from the state's top
engineering organization recognizes 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. "The successful rollout of these
projects and new technologies exemplifies the BDA engineering
team's professionalism and innovation. We are honored to be
recognized for our efforts."
"This recognition, and the honor it bestows, belongs wholly to
our team and our customer," said Murray Brabrook, BDA director of
Platform Maintenance for Global Services & Support –
Australia. "It is a fitting tribute for a much-loved national
resource before it is officially retired from service at the end of
next year."
Engineers Australia, the country's largest and most diverse
professional body for Australian engineers, holds annual
Engineering Excellence Award ceremonies in each state to showcase
the achievements, sustainability and innovation of engineers within
the profession and the wider community.
As a winner of the Queensland Awards, Boeing qualifies for an
Australian Engineering Excellence Award should it choose to enter
the national competition.
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.