Indiaâ??s P-8I begins flight testing
Boeing has announced the first P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy has begun its official flight test programme at Boeing Field, Seattle. A three hour 49 minute flight was conducted 7 July 2012 to demonstrate flying qualities and handling characteristics. According to Boeing, the flight went as planned with all test objectives met.
The P-8I is one of eight long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft Boeing is building for India as part of a contract awarded in January 2009. During the coming months, Boeing test pilots will put the P-8I, a Next-Generation 737-800 derivative, through its paces over a US Navy test range west of Neah Bay, and a joint US/Canadian test range in the Strait of Georgia.
The stores the P-8I will carry will have the identical shape and size of real weapons, including the Harpoon anti-ship missile, depth bombs and torpedoes.
The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
Boeing said it is on track to deliver the first aircraft to the Indian Navy in 2013.
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