OFTs for RAF Poseidons land in Lossiemouth
The RAF has received its first pair of high-fidelity flight training simulators from Boeing for the P-8A Poseidon (pictured - designated Poseidon MRA Mk1 in UK service).
The full-scale Operational Flight Trainers (OFTs) will be installed in the £100 million Poseidon base at RAF Lossiemouth, along with other training devices.
‘A suite of Boeing training devices have been developed to provide interactive, high-fidelity simulations to train the pilots who operate the aircraft, and the rear crew who operate the sensors, communication and weapon systems,’ the company announced in an 18 August statement.
The Poseidon multi-mission MPA is capable of broad-area, maritime and coastal operations. The RAF has nine aircraft on order; the first arrived in the UK on 4 February and the second followed in March. All nine are expected to arrive in the UK by the end of 2021, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
Both aircraft operate from Kinloss Airfield, before the Poseidon MRA Mk1-specific facilities and the upgraded runway at RAF Lossiemouth are formally opened later in 2020.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Peru’s air combat modernisation effort opens up $2.5 billion market opportunity]()
Peru’s air combat modernisation effort opens up $2.5 billion market opportunity
The latest purchase of F-16V combat aircraft comes as the country presses ahead with its long-held plans to modernise its air combat capabilities and invest in the replacement of ageing Russian aircraft.
-
![Optimism remains for GCAP and FCAS future despite programme stumbling blocks]()
Optimism remains for GCAP and FCAS future despite programme stumbling blocks
Both sixth-generation combat aircraft programmes are still awaiting major key decisions from respective governments with regards to funding or future direction, but industry and governmental officials remain optimistic of progress going forward.
-
![SOF Week 2026: US Army to conduct trials with Mountain Horse’s containerised drone launcher]()
SOF Week 2026: US Army to conduct trials with Mountain Horse’s containerised drone launcher
The Mountain Horse Containerised Autonomous Drone Delivery System has been engineered for dispersed, forward UAV operations. It can store, protect, charge, launch and recover drones.
-
![British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system]()
British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system
The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.
-
![UH-60M Black Hawk: export demand underpins $13 billion market opportunity]()
UH-60M Black Hawk: export demand underpins $13 billion market opportunity
The UH-60M is the latest variant of the UH-60, a workhorse multirole helicopter that continues to attract further orders from across the globe. With further modernisation upgrades underway, the platform is expected to remain in operation until 2050.
