The Aussie AP3C in my opinion was a little like the UK Typhoon, pushing the limits of the platform.
In GW2, or Afghanistan, I forget, but as far as I remember, the Aussie AP3C was in demand by the allies for its overland surveillance, there were a number of upgrades to the aircraft that turned it from a maritime aircraft to a reconnaissance aircraft.
In relation to this thread, if the same approach to AEW with Wedgetail, the Aussies will have a nice upgrade route which we would do well to buy into?