Australia - Royal Australian air force

The Neptune served as a cornerstone of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare capability from the early 1950s through the late 1970s. Its introduction marked a significant modernization of Australia’s long-range surveillance and naval cooperation efforts during the Cold War, replacing the aging Avro Lincoln bombers and aligning the RAAF with contemporary Western maritime doctrine.

Australia’s Neptune story began in 1951, when No. 11 Squadron received its first batch of P2V-5 aircraft, later redesignated P-2E. These aircraft were initially based at RAAF Pearce in Western Australia before relocating to RAAF Richmond in New South Wales. The Neptunes brought with them a suite of advanced sensors for the time, including the AN/APS-20 search radar, Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) tail booms, and sonobuoy deployment systems. Their armament capacity included torpedoes, depth charges, and rockets, making them formidable tools for anti-submarine warfare.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Neptunes of No. 11 and later No. 10 Squadron (based at RAAF Townsville) conducted a wide range of missions. These included routine maritime patrols, search and rescue operations, and participation in multinational exercises such as UNITAS and SEATO deployments. The aircraft also supported nuclear test monitoring during Operation Mosaic in 1957 and conducted long-range navigation demonstrations, including a global circumnavigation in Operation Westbound.

In 1962, the RAAF began receiving the more advanced P2V-7 variant, designated SP-2H. These aircraft featured upgraded avionics, improved acoustic detection systems (including the Jezebel and Julie systems), and auxiliary jet engines for better takeoff performance. The SP-2H became the backbone of Australia’s maritime patrol fleet, operating from forward bases such as Butterworth (Malaysia), Learmonth, and the Cocos Islands. They frequently tracked Soviet submarines and surface vessels in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, underscoring their strategic importance during the Cold War.

Despite their robust performance, the Neptunes were not without loss. On February 4, 1959, A89-308 crashed near RAAF Richmond following an engine fire, tragically killing all crew members. This was the only Neptune lost in RAAF service.

By the late 1970s, the Neptune’s age and limitations became apparent. The introduction of the Lockheed P-3 Orion, with its superior range, payload, and sensor suite, marked the end of the Neptune era. No. 11 Squadron transitioned to the P-3B by 1968, while No. 10 Squadron continued operating the SP-2H until its final operational flight on November 30, 1977.