Article Posted on : - Mar 21, 2009

Boeing image

SEATTLE (BNS): Boeing’s long-range maritime surveillance aircraft P-8A Poseidon underwent loads calibration testing, a key requirement for getting US naval flight clearance.

The tests involve load-taking capabilities of one of the key components in aircraft’s fuselage like horizontal and vertical stabilizers and wing structures. After the tests, the aircraft would be sent for airworthiness certificate. Boeing expects that complete flight worthiness formalities for the aircraft would complete by the end of this year. The load test was carried out on a trial aircraft named T-1.

"One of the reasons we were able to complete the tests ahead of schedule is that the team incorporated some new technologies which enabled us to capture more accurate and more usable data faster,"

Boeing’s structural and certification director Mark Magnuson was quoted as saying. "We also completed a number of independent reviews of the test plan prior to the start of testing, in order to reduce risk."

The new technique adopted for the test includes installing small video cameras on the leading and trailing edges of the wing and underneath the fuselage to measure three dimensional real time data.

Boeing is currently building five P-8As. P-8 is a multi mission maritime aircraft. It has a Boeing 737-800 airframe with state of the art equipment for maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft is meant to replace US navy’s fleet of P-3Cs. The US navy intends to induct 108 of these aircraft. The first aircraft for the navy is expected to be delivered by 2013.

Boeing has already got orders from other buyers. The first country to receive P-8s apart from US navy would be India. Eight P-8 Poseidon have been ordered for the Indian navy. The first of these aircraft are expected to be delivered in 48 months from now.