P-8A – SeaWaves Magazine

BAE Systems Receives Rapid Response Contract From U.S. Navy to Demonstrate Leading-Edge Countermeasure System

January 12, 2021 admin

January 5, 2021 – BAE Systems received a $4 million contract from the U.S. Navy to conduct a quick-turnaround demonstration of a new radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) system for the P-8A Poseidon. The pod-mounted RFCM system is a leading-edge, lightweight, high-power system that will add a new self-protection capability to this next-generation U.S. Navy aircraft. “The ability to meet this…

Australia Orders Another Pair of P-8A Poseidons

January 11, 2021 admin

December 30, 2020 – Air Force’s maritime patrol capability will be boosted with Australia set to acquire two more P-8A Poseidon surveillance and response aircraft, bringing the total fleet size to 14. The Government has also approved sustainment funding for the current approved fleet of three MQ-4C Triton aircraft. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the…

Boeing Awarded U.S. Navy Contract for New Zealand P-8 Training

December 15, 2020 admin

Dec. 16, 2020 — The U.S. Navy recently awarded Boeing a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract, valued at $109 million, to provide P-8A Poseidon training for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). A suite of training systems and courseware will prepare RNZAF aircrew and maintainers to safely and effectively operate and maintain the world’s premier maritime patrol and reconnaissance…

First Air-to-Air Refueling for Australian P-8As

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020 admin

October 20, 2020 – The RAAF P-8A Poseidon fleet has taken a step towards full operational capability with one of the surveillance aircraft completing the first air-to-air refueling with a KC-30A multi-role tanker transport. The two aircraft undertook seven refueling flights from September 22 to October 1, with the KC-30A leaving its home base of RAAF Amberley and meeting up…

VP-45 “Pelicans” Return from Deployment

June 2, 2020June 2, 2020 admin

June 2, 2020 – The Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 “Pelicans” returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, May 29, after an eight-month deployment. VP-45, led by commanding officer Cmdr. Paul Nickell, deployed with the “Diamondbacks” of Mobile Tactical Operation Center Five (MTOC-5). The squadron was deployed from October 2019 through May 2020 to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation…

Third Unsafe Intercept by Russia in Two Months

May 27, 2020 admin

May 26, 2020 – For the third time in two months, Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a U.S. Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in U.S. Sixth Fleet, May 26, 2020. On May 26, 2020, a U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft was flying in the Eastern Mediterranean over international waters and was intercepted by…

Unsafe Russian Intercept over Mediterranean Sea

April 16, 2020 admin

April 15, 2020 – On April 15, 2020, a U.S. P-8A Poseidon aircraft flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-35. The interaction was determined to be unsafe due to the SU-35 conducting a high-speed, inverted maneuver, 25 ft. directly in front of the mission aircraft, which put our pilots and crew at risk.…

Boeing Receives $1.5 Billion P-8A Poseidon Contract From U.S. Navy

March 30, 2020 admin

March 30, 2020 — The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a $1.5 billion production contract for the next 18 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The contract includes eight aircraft for the U.S. Navy, six aircraft for the Republic of Korea Navy and four aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Republic of Korea Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force acquired…

VP-45 Supports Royal Australian Navy Fleet Exercise

March 18, 2020 admin

March 13, 2020 – Commander Task Force (CTF) 72 wrapped up its participation in the Australian navy’s Fleet Certification Period 2020, March 7. CTF-72 dispatched a P8-A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) from Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 to assist with the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) first major exercise of the year. Similar to the U.S. Navy’s FCP, the…

VP-4 Participates in Dynamic Manta 2020

March 11, 2020 admin

March 11, 2020 – Crews operating Patrol Squadron (VP) 4’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft participated in Exercise Dynamic Manta 2020 (DYMA20), a NATO led maritime exercise Feb. 24 – March 6, 2020. Dynamic Manta, an annual exercise hosted by NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) took place in the Mediterranean Sea off the southern coast of Italy. The overarching purpose of the…