The P-8A Poseidon aircraft was on display like a new car on a showroom floor last week (Wednesday, June 9) as people from near and far officially welcomed the aircraft to NAS Patuxent River. The announcer encouraged the audience to look, but cautioned them: “don’t touch” the newest aircraft in the maritime patrol arsenal.

Very shortly into the ceremony, Rear Adm. Bill Moran threw that caution in the wind as he instructed flight crews to walk up and touch it to “be sure it’s real.” Moran, the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Group commander, knows too well what this milestone means to the pilots and flight crews who were in attendance.

The Operators and flight crew members in the audience wasted no time. They had long awaited the plane’s arrival and the increased capability that the P-8APosiedon will bring to them in order to accomplish the mission of maritime patrol and reconnaissance.

In his keynote address during the welcome ceremony for the P-8A anti-submarine aircraft inside the Test and Evaluation Squadron One hangar, Moran noted that it was a day to celebrate the accomplishments reached thus far, and to envision what lies ahead. He said the aircraft is the way of the future for the Navy.

Capt. Mike Moran, PMA-290 program manager, said it was an exciting day in Navy history. He praised the current P-8 team and honored the many professionals that have served during the years of development, keeping the program on time and on budget. Moran told a packed hanger, that included many state and local leaders, that the P-8A will be delivered to the fleet in 2013 replacing the current P-3C, in use since the 1960s.

Rear Adm. Steven Eastburg, Program Executive Officer for Air ASW, Assault and Special Missions programs, echoed those comments. He said it was a day he has dreamed of since 2002 when he was PMA-290’s program manager. Eastburg related that the first contract for the P-8A was signed on an oil box in the trunk of a car after a mistimed fire alarm emptied the Moffett Building. “What an aircraft. What a timeline. What a success story,” he said. “What a tribute to the many people who gave life to this aircraft by staying dedicated to precision execution.”

The first P-8A arrived at NAS Pax River in April of this year. The second aircraft will arrive this month to serve as the first test P-8A with a full missions system onboard. The final test article will arrive later in the year. These aircraft will focus on extensive mission systems and weapons system testing, ensuring the P-8A’s ability to carry out the anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

The Poseidon will replace the P-3C Orion as the Navy’s premier maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Its advanced mission systems, software and communications technology will allow the Fleet to carry out the same missions as the Orion, but with greater situational awareness that will enhance mission success.

Source: Navair