News Review: P-8A Poseidon tests mission system in flight | ADM Aug 2010

The second Boeing P-8A Poseidon test aircraft, T2, successfully completed the program’s first mission systems test flight in June.

T2 will be used to verify integrated mission systems performance during flights in Seattle and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

During the three-hour flight, the joint Boeing and US Navy test team exercised mission computing on all five operator workstations and successfully demonstrated key systems - including acoustics, mission planning, tactical data-link, communications, electronic support measures and flight test instrumentation - for the first time.

“This successful flight moves us a step closer to getting the Poseidon and its next-generation radar and sensors into the hands of the warfighter,” Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager, said.

“Future flights will demonstrate the state-of-the-art systems that will provide the Navy superior performance well into the 21st century.”

T2 is one of five test aircraft that are being assembled and tested as part of the US Navy System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract Boeing received in 2004.

The Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

The RAAF plans to acquire eight P-8As to replace its ageing AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from 2018.