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…
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Australia Orders Another Pair of P-8A Poseidons
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…
Read MoreBoeing Awarded U.S. Navy Contract for New Zealand P-8 Training
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…
Read MoreFirst Air-to-Air Refueling for Australian P-8As
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…
Read MoreVP-45 “Pelicans” Return from Deployment
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…
Read MoreThird Unsafe Intercept by Russia in Two Months
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…
Read MoreUnsafe Russian Intercept over Mediterranean Sea
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.…
Read MoreBoeing Receives $1.5 Billion P-8A Poseidon Contract From U.S. Navy
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…
Read MoreVP-45 Supports Royal Australian Navy Fleet Exercise
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…
Read MoreVP-4 Participates in Dynamic Manta 2020
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…
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