First flight for RAF’s Poseidon MRA1

United Kingdom

The first P-8A Poseidon MRA1 for the RAF takes off for its maiden flight wearing temporary test registration N456DS. Construction of the aircraft began in February with the laying of the keel beam at Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, before assembly was completed by Boeing in Seattle. Boeing

BOEING COMPLETED the maiden flight of the first of nine RAF P-8A Poseidon MRA1s at its Renton, Washington, facility on July 12. The initial aircraft, ZP801, named Pride of Moray, performed a 90-minute test sortie in the hands of Boeing test pilots and in the presence of UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and RAF personnel, plus Boeing P-8 programme leaders.

Since then the manufacturer has begun integrating mission systems at its Installation and Checkout facility in Tukwila, Washington. Further testing will take place here before delivery to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, scheduled for October. Once at ‘Jax’, ZP801 will undergo additional preparation and UK personnel will continue training before the aircraft flies home to the UK early next year.

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