Two Additional Test Aircraft Will Join Program Later This
Year
The first P-8A Poseidon test aircraft arrived at Naval Air
Station (NAS) Patuxent River, April 10.
File Photo
The aircraft, recently assigned to Air Test and Evaluation
Squadron (VX) 20, arrived after a six hour, 55 min. flight from
Boeing's Seattle facilities. VX-20's Government Flight Test
Director Cmdr. Jim Reining, along with VX-1's Operational Test
Director Cmdr. John Verniest and Boeing's P-8A chief pilot Chris
Dobb delivered the aircraft referred to as T1.
T1 began formal Navy flight testing at the Boeing facility in
October 2009. The Integrated Test Team (ITT) spent the past six
months executing ground and flight tests while maximizing the
expertise of Boeing P-8A engineers and technicians.
"It was an exciting moment to watch the first P-8A Poseidon
touch down at Pax River today," said Capt. Mike Moran, Maritime
Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program manager (PMA-290). "The
maritime patrol and reconnaissance platform is in great demand
throughout the world and this flight put us one step closer to
delivering Poseidon to the fleet. I cannot be more proud of our
team as they work to ensure this aircraft will meet our
warfighters' requirements."
Moran said that the program continues to meet all performance
criteria and is on track for initial operational capability in
2013.
"The ITT, along with all Boeing's Seattle production and
maintenance team has worked very hard to get the aircraft to Pax
River to complete the planned test program," said Reining. "The ITT
is grateful for the strong support from PMA-290 and Boeing
management and is excited to get to work testing at Pax River."
The Poseidon ITT, comprised of Navy test squadrons (VX-20 and
VX-1), and Boeing, will utilize T1 to evaluate the P-8A's
airworthiness and expand its flight envelope.
The program's other two flight test aircraft, T2 and T3, will
transfer to Pax River later this year. These aircraft will focus on
extensive mission systems and weapons system testing, ensuring the
P-8A's ability to carry out the anti-submarine warfare,
anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance operations.
The Poseidon will replace the P-3C Orion as the Navy's premier
maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Its advanced mission
systems, software and communications technology will allow the
Fleet to carry out the same missions as the Orion, but with greater
situational awareness that will enhance mission success.