Boeing has received a contract to deliver a complete training system for the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The contract also covers the supply of four P-8A training systems for the US Navy. This combined domestic and foreign military sale is part of a partnership between the US Navy and the RAAF on the P-8 programme.
Boeing P-8 programme manager Tom Shadrach 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."
Boeing’s training system will use simulators to train pilots and mission crews to operate the aircraft, its sensors, communications and weapons systems, the company stated.
For the navy, the company currently offers P-8A aircrew training devices, electronic classrooms and courseware at its Integrated Training Center (ITC) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
The P-8A aircraft is capable of supporting missions including search and rescue, anti-submarine and maritime strike missions using torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.
This long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft is designed to ensure maximum interoperability in the future battle space.
In February this year, the Australian Government approved the acquisition of eight P-8As and supporting infrastructure to include training and initial spares and support equipment.
The delivery of aircraft is expected to start in 2017 and the P8-A training system for Australia is due to be delivered in 2018.
Image: A US Navy’s Boeing-built P-8A Poseidon aircraft arrives at Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, US. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.
