Australian P-8A makes maiden flight
The first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 25 May.
The aircraft flew from Renton Airfield, Washington, to Boeing Field where will be fitted with mission systems as part of Australia's project AIR 7000.
The P-8A will replace the RAAF's in-service AP-3C Orion fleet. Its primary roles will include detection and response of submarine and surface threats, search and rescue support and surveillance and reconnaissance.
A RAAF crew will fly the P-8A from the US to Australia in late 2016 after post-production tests and acceptance.
The aircraft has a length of 39.5m, maximum take-off weight of 85.82 tonnes, wingspan of 37.6m, maximum range of 7,500km and top speed of 907kmph.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.
-
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.
-
UK reinforces relations with Nordic neighbours amid potential warship deals with Denmark and Sweden
Hot on the heels of Norway selecting BAE Systems to build five Type 26 anti-submarine frigates, the UK government is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ on new warship orders for two more Scandinavian countries.
-
Which countries could the US rely on to progress with its shipbuilding programmes?
The US Navy and US Coast Guard (USCG) are in critical need of support to build icebreakers, surface vessels and submarines.