Boeing’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft ready to demo
Boeing has completed baseline ground and flight testing of the Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) mission systems, clearing the way for customer demonstration flights to begin.
The MSA programme testing included scenarios to confirm performance of the Automatic Identification System, radar, Electro-Optical Infrared camera, communications radios and data links, Communications Intelligence System and the Electronic Support Measures.
David Utz, MSA demonstrator flight test manager, Boeing, said: ‘The mission systems flight test programme proved the functionality and performance of the onboard sensors and was a huge accomplishment for the MSA team.’
The aircraft completed airworthiness and certification testing in 2014.
MSA is a multi-intelligence maritime surveillance platform that draws on technology developed for Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon and the Airborne Warning and Control System Block 40/45 aircraft mission systems. It is designed to provide a high capability, low-risk intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solution in a mid-size business jet.
The aircraft’s potential missions include anti-piracy, immigration patrols, Economic Exclusion Zone enforcement, coastal and border security and long-range search and rescue.
More from Naval Warfare
-
SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Spearhead programme, run by the service’s Develop Directorate, has been investigating future and existing technologies with a particular focus on the USV arena.
-
Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD
A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.
-
Royal Navy welcomes mine-hunting mothership
RFA Stirling Castle, a 6,000-tonne vessel, will start operations later this year.
-
Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.
-
Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought SSBNs to be equipped with OSI’s ECPINS
The contracts between OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) and BAE Systems Submarines will encompass continued support for the Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines (SSN) and the future Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).