Search operation for Malaysia Airlines aircraft: Update 15

A Royal Australian Air Force (A9-658) AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. photo by Jason B

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority can advise objects have been located by a Royal Australian Air Force P3 Orion. 

HMAS Success is on scene and is attempting to locate the objects in the search for missing Malaysia Aircraft flight MH370. 

The objects were spotted in the search area about 2500 kilometres south-west of Perth by the RAAF Orion about 2.45pm (AEDT). 

The crew on board the Orion reported seeing two objects – the first a grey or green circular object and the second an orange rectangular object. 

The objects identified by the RAAF Orion are separate to the objects reported by the Chinese Ilyushin IL-76 to AMSA earlier today. 

The objects reported by the Chinese were also within today’s search area. 

The US Navy P8 Poseidon aircraft sought to relocate the objects reported by the Chinese aircraft but were unable to do so. 

The US Navy P8 is remains in the search area, while a second RAAF P3 and a Japanese P3 are en route to their assigned search areas. 

The last of these aircraft will depart the search area about 11pm (AEDT).