Dave Coles has an idea
Both the Lockheed AP-3C and Boeing P-8A Poseidon have been equipped to carry large and expensive SAR kits. Furthermore, the AP-3C Orion was also capable of deploying a secondary Life Support Kit (Helibox) from its main cabin door. With the introduction of the P-8A into service, this capability has been lost, reducing the effectiveness of the P-8A in the SAR role. In addition, each Bomb-bay fitted Uni-Pac II SAR kit costs approx. $30,000. ‘A’ class stores packs would be in the order of $3000 each for stress fitted with 2 single person life rafts. Creating ‘A’ Class stores containers that are safe to deploy by parachute from the sonar-launch tubes of Maritime Patrol aircraft would be more economical and would enhance SAR capabilities.
See full idea pitch: #DEFAus18 Idea Pitch – Multi-Purpose Air-Deployable Rescue Kit and join the @DEF_Aus conversation on Twitter by following #DEFAus18 from 15-16 Nov 18.