P-8A mobile demo trailer visits NAS Jax

The P-8A is a military derivative of the next generation 737-800 commercial aircraft and is the Navy's replacement platform for the P-3C. The state-of-the-art demonstration trailer provided a first-hand look into the latest technology being incorporated into the new weapon system. The demonstration trailer included a high fidelity cockpit flight simulation linked with three mission operator consoles and simulated sensors.

More than 300 aircrew and Sailors had the opportunity to participate in guided demonstrations of the 21st century workstations and operational mission software, and participated in simulated test flights experiencing some of the mission qualities the P-8A aircraft will bring to the fleet. The demonstration trailer also included high bandwidth satellite connectivity enabling distributed simulations and network-centric demonstrations between the trailer and other Boeing Integration Centers across the country.

Boeing's P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) mobile demonstration trailer is on a nine-week, cross-country tour to give P-3 pilots and workstation operators a hands-on experience with the new aircraft.

The day prior to the tours, a combined team from Boeing and Naval Air Systems Command, provided Sailors from VP-30 and squadrons assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven a thorough brief on the MMA program and detailed information about the open architecture mission system. ''It's is great to get out and see the fleet, our customer in this development effort, and see them walk away excited about the product we plan on delivering to them in the coming years,'' said Egan Greenstein of the Boeing Corporation. ''The trailer enables us to provide a more exciting, more realistic, demonstration of the P-8A's capabilities.''

Capt. Tim Brewer, commanding officer of VP-30, after receiving a tour said, ''I wish I was 15 years younger so I could get the chance to fly this aircraft. The Boeing-NAVAIR team, combined with input from the fleet, is obviously on track to deliver a weapon system that will bring with it a huge leap forward in anti-submarine warfare technology.''

Boeing's Carrie Ann Hrastich stands by as AWAN Marvelous Salters of VP-45, evaluates the workstation software capabilities.

The Boeing-led P-8A team, which includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Smiths Aerospace will produce five test aircraft during the program's system development and demonstration phase. The Navy plans to purchase up to 108 aircraft to replace its aging fleet of P-3 aircraft. The first aircraft will be delivered for flight test in 2009 and initial operational capability is slated for 2013.

Photo courtesy of VP-30 VP-30 Commanding Officer Capt. Tim Brewer operates a P-8A Mission System console on board the P-8A demonstration trailer.

Photo courtesy of VP-30 Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven Capt. Sean Buck (center) and his Chief Staff Officer Cmdr. Jim Debold (right) discuss P-8A capabilities with Egan Greenstein of the Boeing Corporation.