Boeing to provide P-8A training system to Australia
Boeing will provide a complete training system for the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), marking the first international sale of the training system.
The system will be provided to the RAAF under a combined domestic and foreign military sale contract that includes the sale of four P-8A training systems for the US Navy.
The training system uses simulators to train mission crews and pilots to operate the aircraft, its weapon systems, communications and sensors without the need for live flights.
Australia approved the acquisition of eight P-8As and supporting infrastructure in February 2014, including training and initial spares and support equipment. The aircraft deliveries will begin in 2017, with the P8-A training system expected to be delivered to Australia in 2018.
Tom Shadrach, P-8 programme manager, training systems and government services team, Boeing, said: 'Boeing will deliver a seamless and comprehensive training solution for our customers’ pilots and mission crews.
'It will prepare them to use the world’s most advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities for any mission, at any time.'
At present, Boeing provides P-8A aircrew training devices, electronic classrooms and courseware for the navy at its integrated training centre at the naval air station in Jacksonville, Florida.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.