P-8A passes structural testing

UPI ^ | 1/21/2010 | UPI

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The structural integrity of new P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft has been confirmed in a series of tests by U.S. company Boeing.

Boeing said the tests began in May and were completed last month.

"The structure performed as we expected throughout testing, allowing us to efficiently expand the P-8A's flight-test envelope," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "Our static test plan was successful thanks to the combined efforts of Boeing's design, analysis and test teams and our U.S. Navy customer."

[NoLibZone]

The P-8A Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. It possesses an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the future battle space. Capable of broad-area maritime, and littoral operations, the P-8A will influence how the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance forces train, operate and deploy. Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide

The P-8A Poseidon is a true multi-mission platform. On board P-8A, all sensors contribute to a single fused tactical situation display, which is then shared over both military standard and internet protocol data links, allowing for seamless delivery of information amongst U.S. and coalition forces. As an armed platform, P-8A independently closes the kill chain, while simultaneously providing data to everyone on the network.

[Nonstatist]

Is the primary structure composite material?

[Mariner]

I'm baffled why they didn't just build a bunch of brand new P-3s.

That and the C-130 were the finest ever built:)

[quagmier]

I believe this is an aluminum airframe, but don’t bet the farm on it yet. I say that because it is a 737 based airframe and that model does not yet have a composite wing or fuselage yet. As far as I know.

[Ramius]

I hear ya. Both the Electra and the 130 are awesome, long-lived planes. I suppose though, that there’s some logic in going to the 737 (also a long-lived and proven platform) as I suppose it has longer range and patrol time. Not to mention more room.

[lurk]

Plus you can find 737 parts in abundance.

[Vroomfondel]

ping

[Yo-Yo]

Some composites are used for the ailerons, rudder, elevators, and a few other small parts, but the P-8 is your basic aluminum Boeing 737-800, with a few structural changes to add weapons hard points and a bomb bay. The wings are the longer ones from the 737-900.

Not a huge surprise that it passed structural fatigue testing, since the 737 has been flying for decades.

[magslinger]

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[pabianice]

Trouble brewing. Translation: the P-8 passed a series of structural tests to the standards of the B-737 airliner market. The P-8 has not passed the much more rigorous combat aircraft standards. Not to worry. ASW is being shifted to the UAV community. What could possibly go wrong?