Posted on 02/16/2010 9:49:11 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Boeing Co. said it’s completed a series of tests of its new P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine airplane in Seattle, with tests being described as “a major milestone.”
The U.S. Navy is slated to buy 117 of the maritime and patrol aircraft, which are derived from a 737 fuselage. Spirit AeroSystems Inc. in Wichita makes most of the 737 airframe. The P-8A aircraft contains sophisticated detection equipment and weaponry that are designed to find and sink submarines that could threaten aircraft carriers. The complete P-8A program will be worth more than $40 billion.
The airplane that Boeing tested in Seattle was subjected to a variety of vibration tests with 18 different weapons configurations loaded onto the plane.
“T1 responded as predicted throughout the rigorous set of tests. This is a major milestone for the team and paves the way for in-flight testing and verification of the P-8A’s weapons capabilities,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager, in a statement.
The P-8A, called the 737’s “lethal twin,” was rolled out for the first time in Renton last July.
(Excerpt) Read more at bizjournals.com ...
Train? Greyhound bus?
They bounce. Boeing. Boeing. Boeing...
I guess this is an Air Force aircraft since it isn’t carrier capable. On second thought, I am not sure the Navy would like carrier security to be handled by the Air Force. I know the USN has refuelers, but are they large enough to handle their basic load of fighters and a 737? Sorry, just thinking out loud before doing the research to get the answers....
....Bob
Hitch Hike
The answer is in the article, it is a Navy managed project.
Train.
Train is correct.
This isn’t the best picture but here you go:
http://googlesightseeing.com/2007/05/02/planes-on-a-train/
Nope. Navy land based, long distance sub killer/hunter.
This replaces the P3 Orion. That was based on a 1950's Lockeed Electra frame if memory serves me.
It's a Navy bird, just like its predecessor, the P-3 Orion. The Orion, which was built on the old Lockheed Electra platform, also wasn't carrier capable, FWIW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIW8M_HMSVA&feature=related
I used to fix and operate the P-3C Orion aircraft simulators. Great planes, I guess it was a matter of time before they got replaced. Fair winds Orion!
“How do 737s get from KS to WA?”
What a silly question. Obamassiah raises his arms and proclaims “and so it shall be.”
“Planes on a train
Planes on a train
Looking like a fool with
your planes on a train!
Wings turned sideways
Hole in the fuesalage
Planes on a train
Looking like a fool with
your planes on a train!”
They take the train of course!
I am willing to bet the Obama will stop this deal from going through.
The Navy operates many of aircraft that are not carrier capable... the P8 will replace the current P3 anti sub aircraft and the P3 is not carrier capable ... it very common for Navy's to have land based long range patrol anti sub aircraft to be based on airliners
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