Article Posted on : - Mar 10, 2011

P-8A Poseidon

GREENLAWN, NEW YORK (BNS): BAE Systems has received a Low Rate Initial Production contract from Boeing to provide mission computer systems for six P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

BAE Systems' mission computer system for the P-8A is a flexible and ruggedized processing platform that can be configured to meet the general purpose, input and output, video, voice, and graphics processing needs for modern military battle management requirements, the company said.

The P-8A Poseidon, developed by a Boeing-led team for the US Navy, is a long-range; anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.

The Navy plans to purchase approximately 117 P-8A aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

BAE Systems achieved a significant P-8A milestone completing the mission computer system qualification testing in June 2010. That test aircraft, along with two others, are currently at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, for continued flight testing. Work is expected to be completed in 2012.