First RAF P-8A flies
The first P-8A Poseidon being built for the Royal Air Force (RAF) has completed its first flight.
The aircraft will now transfer out of Boeing Commercial Airplanes to Boeing Defense, Space and Security to be fitted out with the Poseidon-specific military systems.
The RAF is procuring nine Poseidon aircraft for maritime patrol operations. The first aircraft is due to be handed over to the RAF in October 2019 and will be based at RAF Lossiemouth from Autumn 2020.
Air Commodore Richard Barrow, senior responsible owner for the Poseidon Programme, said: ‘The first cadre of RAF engineers and aircrew have been trained on the P-8A Poseidon which marks the resurgence of the RAF’s long-range maritime patrol capability.
'The Poseidon MRA Mk 1 will enhance the UK’s maritime patrol capability with advanced, state-of-the-art, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare sensors. This is an exciting time for the RAF especially for those based at RAF Lossiemouth.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic
Cutters Earl Cunningham and Storis have been monitoring five Beijing research vessels navigating in the North Pole.
-
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.