Construction of the Royal Air Force's first P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance MRAI aircraft started on 22 February when the 'keel' of the airframe was laid.The aircraft ZP801 is now well underway at the Spirit AeroSystems plant in Wichita, Kansas.The airframe will have been completed by the time this report is published and will have been moved to Renton,Washington for final fitting out with all its military systems. ZP801 is expected to be handed over to the Royal Air Force in October but will stay Stateside at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida for a few months.This is to allow RAF crews to become familiar with the aircraft characteristics. Once completed the P-8A will make its way to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland for operational duties commencing in the spring of 2020.The second RAF P-8A is scheduled for delivery in 2020.
展开▼
