Boeing has been awarded a US$157 million to deliver training systems and management technical expertise for the UK P-8A Poseidon MRA1 Mk.1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft procurement program, the US DoD announced on Feb. 27, 2019.
Concluded through the US Foreign military sale program, this award includes delivery of « two operational flight trainers (OFTs), two weapons tactics trainers (WTTs); six brief/debrief stations (BDSs), to include two OFT BDSs, two WTT BDSs; and two weapons system trainer BDSs; one part task trainer, ten electronic classrooms, two scenario generation stations, one training system support center, two virtual maintenance trainers and supporting technical data such as software, books and other publications », the US Pentagon added.
In addition, this contract provides contracts, logistics, engineering and management technical expertise required to procure, design, build, test, deliver, install- and inspect P-8A training systems for the government of the U. K.
Work will partly be performed at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, and is expected to be completed in April 2022. The future home of the UK’s nine P-8A aircraft is on target for completion, the Royal Air Force stated on Feb. 22, 2019. Once established the facility will hold up to three aircraft, along with maintenance facilities, planning rooms, and office space for the operators and support staff.
The first of the RAF’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft is expected to be handed to 120 Squadron towards the end of 2019, before making its first appearance in the UK in early 2020. The submarine hunter will help to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent, as well as the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. They will also work with the new Type 26 Frigates, which are currently being built in Scotland.
