After an extensive testing period, the US Navy announced July 1 in an initial operational test and evaluation report that its new patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, P-8A Poseidon, was found “operationally effective, operationally suitable, and ready for fleet introduction.”

“This milestone and accomplishment is possible due to the great team of individuals who worked diligently and meticulously in making this aircraft the best choice to replace the Navy’s current workhorse, the P-3C Orion,” said Captain Scott Dillon, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290) Manager. “It is a great day for the Navy and the fleet. We are proud to add the P-8 to the Navy’s weapons inventory and the deployment cycle later this year.”

“On June 24, completing just one practice run at the Point Mugu Sea Test Range, a P-8A Poseidon from Pax River achieved a programme milestone after six minutes of flight time,” Dillon said. “The P-8A successfully launched a Harpoon AGM-84D Block IC missile on the first hot run scoring a direct hit run on a low-cost modular target. This flight test, along with past tests, demonstrates the P-8’s operational effectiveness and overall mission capabilities.”