Russian SU-27 Jet Intercepts US Navy Spy Plane Over Black Sea

Russian Air Force SU-27 Fighter

A Russian fighter jet carried out an intercept of US spy plane flying over the Black Sea, according to US Defense officials, cited by the Reuters news agency. A Russian fighter jet intercepted a US spy plane flying over the Black Sea, according to US Defense officials cited by the Reuters news agency.

The officials said that there were multiple interactions between two aircraft and called the intercept by the Russian jet "unsafe and unprofessional."

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident lasted about 19 minutes and the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter came within 10 feet of the US Navy P-8 surveillance plane.

Officials are now reviewing the incident with the pilot to determine whether it should be included in the annual meeting of US and Russian officials about more serious intercepts, the official added.

According to radio monitor sources the plane intercepted by the Russians over the Black Sea was a US Navy P-8A Poseidon.

US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft (US Navy image)

Boeing Delivers the 17th Poseidon to the US Navy

Several press reports received this afternoon indicate that Boeing has delivered the 17th P-8A Poseidon to the U.S. Navy. The aircraft, serial number 168757 and Mode-S address AE4EC1, was delivered to VP-45 based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida.

NAS Jacksonville P-3 and P-8 Callsigns/Frequencies

Our good friend Mac McCormick III has posted an excellent online reference for those of us who like to monitor the fixed wing ASW assets based at NAS Jacksonville. Check out his blog post at http://kf4lmt.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/nas-jacksonville-p-3-and-p-8-callsigns/. Thanks Mac that is good stuff and keep us informed of changes down your way.

LN-429 and 434 confirmed as a VP-45 Pelican Birds

168434 Mode-S AE4EB8

No doubt that P-8A 168434 belongs to VP-45 based out of NAS Jacksonville. Snagged this pic off the squadron Facebook page this morning. Nice looking aircraft.

And I can now add P-8A 168429 as a VP-45 bird based on Mode-S intercept yesterday. Caught that aircraft using AE4EB3 with Pelcn 77 programmed into the Mode-S callsign block.

P-8A Aircraft Program Achieves Initial Operational Capability

Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bill Pennington Jr. takes off on a P-8A Poseidon No. 429 aircraft from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Nov. 29. The take-off represents the squadron's historic first operational deployment of the Poseidon within the Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance community. (U.S. Navy photo by Clark Pierce/Released)

By LaToya T. Graddy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290) Public Affairs   

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) after the first two P-8A Poseidons departed for deployment Nov. 29.

This announcement comes weeks after the completion of the Operational Readiness Evaluation of the first deploying P-8A Poseidon squadron and the commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Group officially declaring the first P-8A squadron, Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16), "prepared for deployment" Nov. 4.

"This IOC declaration is the culmination of years of careful planning and coordinated effort by the fleet, resource sponsor, acquisition community, and industry," said Capt. Scott Dillon, program manager for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office (PMA-290).

By achieving IOC, the Navy can effectively deploy the P-8A for operational missions and continue to successfully transition from the aging P-3C. The Poseidon program is on track for completing the remaining preparations for the first operational deployment of a P-8A squadron.

"With the P-3 to P-8 transition well underway at Jacksonville, VP-16 is executing an Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle and is on track to be the first P-8 squadron to deploy. VP-5 has completed their P-8 transition, and VP-45 has commenced P-8 transition after returning from deployment this past summer. In addition to leading the fleet transition process, VP-30 is also producing P-8 qualified replacement personnel for direct accession into P-8 qualified squadrons," said Rear Adm. Matt Carter, Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group. "There has never been a greater need for a new patrol and reconnaissance aircraft now that the aging P-3 is nearing the end of its life cycle. The P-8 is a true multi-mission platform, which will continue to provide us invaluable capabilities."

"The number of submarines in the world is increasing rapidly. Other countries are either building or purchasing advanced, quiet, and extremely hard to find submarines and we need to be able to match that technology to be able to detect them. The P-8, along with the Triton, will strengthen the maritime mission and provide greater situational awareness," Carter added.

This year was filled with crucial programmatic milestones for the program office, including the successful completion of Initial Operational Test and Evaluation and the on-going delivery of initial production aircraft in support of the first three P-3 to P-8 squadron transitions. To date, 12 low rate initial production aircraft were delivered to the fleet, and the final aircraft in the second production lot is on-track to deliver ahead of schedule and prior to the end of the year.

The program office along with the P-8 Fleet Integration Team in Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., is continuing to support the transitioning squadrons with training by also using the P-8A Integrated Training Center (ITC). The ITC is meeting training requirements of the Fleet Replacement Squadron, VP-30, and the transitioning squadrons.

"We are pleased the P-8A has been, and continues to be, on cost and on schedule," Dillon said. "The program office is continuing to support the needs of the fleet and deliver an aircraft that recapitalizes and improves upon the capabilities of its predecessor; greatly enhancing the effectiveness of the Navy's forward deployed squadrons."

Navy Deploys P-8A Poseidons to Okinawa

 

Erik Slavin at Stars and Stripes is reporting that the U.S. Navy has deployed two of their new P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.

The P-8’s long-planned arrival in the western Pacific comes about a week after China unilaterally declared a broad swath of the East China Sea’s air space as its national air defense identification zone and demanded that military aircraft identify themselves and file flight plans with the Chinese government.

The United States, Japan and other Asian nations have stated that their military aircraft will not recognize the zone, which includes airspace over the Japanese-administered Senkaku islands.

 

China also claims the uninhabited islands, which are valued for the energy and food resources in their near shore waters.

 

The two patrol aircraft left Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 29, and later landed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi for refueling before touching down in Okinawa, Navy officials said.

Another four P-8s will arrive during the next few weeks, according to Navy sources.

 

New Aircraft Introduced At P-8A Roll-Out Ceremony

Two P-3C Orions and the Navy's newest patrol aircraft, a P-8A Poseidon, sit on display outside hangar 117 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The Maritime Patrol Association celebrated 50 years of P3 Naval Aviation and the beginning of a new generation with the P-8A Poseidon during the 2nd annual Heritage Symposium. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pedro A. Rodriguez/Released)

By Clark Pierce, Editor, Jax Air News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- More than 1,200 distinguished visitors filled the Patrol Squadron 30 hangar at Naval Air Station Jacksonville March 28 to celebrate the first fleet delivery of the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft.

"In the same year that our maritime patrol and reconnaissance force (MPRF) is celebrating 50 years of service for the P-3 Orion, we're also celebrating the fleet introduction of P-8 Poseidon," said Capt. Mark Stevens, VP-30 commanding officer and master of ceremonies.

In his remarks, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson said, "The P-8 is the future of Navy maritime patrol. It will be a critical component of our maritime security and the fleet's eyes and ears for generations to come. While this aircraft is impressive, the strength of our Navy does not rest with technology alone. The real capability will reside in the men and women who fly and maintain this aircraft. In the hands of our great Sailors, it stands ready to meet the needs of the nation and challenges ahead as we continue to operate forward to reassure allies, deter aggression and when needed, prevail in conflict."

Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work provided keynote remarks. "As the Navy's replacement platform for the P-3C, the P-8A Poseidon is transforming how the Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy. The P-8A is a network enabled aircraft for the network age, and gives Sailors the added benefits of working with manned and unmanned systems," said Work. "The training and readiness concept for the Poseidon was designed around a high fidelity simulator solution to provide cost-wise warfighting readiness. The P-8A Integrated Training Facility includes leading-edge operational flight trainers, which will provide innovative and cutting-edge training for today's warfighter."

During his remarks he highlighted the partnership of the Navy and industrial base, which made this day possible.

"On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy, I would like to thank the maritime patrol and reconnaissance community, veterans, industry, and the city of Jacksonville." He added, "thanks and gratitude goes to the City of Jacksonville, which has been such a great host to this base for more than 75 years, and whose citizens embody the values our Sailors fight to protect."

The next phase for Poseidon will be its integration with the unmanned BAMS platform to create a cohesive team that covers an even greater territory.

The next phase for Poseidon will be its integration with the unmanned BAMS platform to create a cohesive team that covers an even greater territory.

"Maritime patrol is the forward indicator of the U.S. presence around the globe," said Work. "MPRF is often the first to respond to natural disasters and provide humanitarian relief. These Sailors embody the CNO's guidance for executing the maritime strategy by demonstrating daily that our Navy is flexible, adaptable and ready to respond globally to preserve the peace. Thank you for allowing me to be part of today's ceremony."

At the conclusion of Work's remarks, Boeing President and CEO of Defense, Space and Security Dennis Muilenburg handed over the "key" for P-8A Poseidon LL 428 to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Rear Adm. Michael Hewitt. He, in turn, gave the key to Stevens who ordered, "Poseidon aircrew and maintenance department, prepare LL 428 for flight operations."

Following the roll out, Work, Brown and Hewitt answered questions from the media.

Work was asked if every P-3 in the Navy would be replaced by the P-8A.

"The P-3 continues to fly after 50 years of service. Only two military aircraft have served longer, the U-2 spy plane and the B-52 bomber. As the P-3C fleet begins to retire aircraft, they will be replaced by a combination of the P-8A and its new partner, the unmanned BAMS (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance)," said Work.

Brown was queried about the importance of Jacksonville's mayor being part of the ceremony.

"This is a historic occasion for our great city and northeast Florida. We've been a military friendly city for a long time and I believe military affairs are an important part of our community. The P-8 shows the benefits of private/public partnerships for the Navy in their development and acquisition process. We're proud to be part of the P-3/P-8 transition and will support it in any way we can," replied Brown

Hewitt fielded the question, "How does this P-8 event help the Navy overall?"

"This is a great day for our maritime patrol and reconnaissance force. We wouldn't be here today without bold leadership from the City of Jacksonville and the creativity of our industry partners. It's also a humbling day in that many MPRF squadrons are actively patrolling oceans and land areas around the world. So while many P-3s are on station protecting American interests, we're proudly rolling out the formidable, new P-8 Poseidon," said Hewitt. "It brings new technology and innovation to bear wherever our country needs us. We're also very proud of our young naval aircrew and maintainers who are bringing this aircraft to life. We know that the platform is new and important -but it's the men and women who fly it that makes it a naval asset to be reckoned with."

After the roll-out event, attendees were invited across the street from VP-30 to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the P-8A Integrated Training Center (ITC). Flight crew and mission specialists are assigned to the ITC where they undertake classroom instruction as well as full-motion, simulated exercises that present the highest degree of realism.

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Bob Sanders welcomed a large crowd that seemed eager to tour the $38 million training facility.

"Thank you for being part of this history making day at NAS Jacksonville," said Sanders. "We're proud you could join us and learn about the exciting future taking shape for the P-8A Poseidon within the maritime patrol and reconnaissance community."

Naval Air Station Jacksonville Introduces P-8A Poseidon to the Fleet

Naval Air Station Jacksonville Introduces P-8A Poseidon to the Fleet

THE NAVY'S NEW PATROL AND RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT, THE P-8A POSIEDON MULTIMISSION AIRCRAFT, WAS FORMALLY INTRODUCED DURING AN OFFICIAL ROLLING OUT CEREMONY HELD AT NAVAL STATION JACKSONVILLE.

"MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT BECAME THE EYES OF THE FLEET BECAUSE THEY COULD GO FARTHER, COVER MORE DISTANCE. THE P-8 AND THE BAMS, I BELIEVE, WILL BE THE EYES OF THE NATION. THEY`LL CONSTANTLY BE FORWARD, THEY`LL BE SCOWERING THE OCEANS FOR ANY POTENTIAL THREAT, AND THEY`LL BE ABLE TO RESPOND VERY VERY QUICKLY."

ALSO INTRODUCED WAS THE P8 A POSEIDON INTEGRATED TRAINING CENTER.

"WE HAVE A VENERABLE AIRCRAFT, THE P3, THATS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR FIFTY YEARS. ITS BEEN DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB WORLDWIDE FOR THE NAVY. ITS TIME TO TRANSITION. WE ARE GOING TO A NEW PLATFORM, A NEW AIRCRAFT - THE P-8 - AND THIS TRAINING FACILITY IS GONNA TRAIN ALL FUTURE AVIATORS FOR THE P-8 PLATFORM."

FROM NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, I`M PETTY OFFICER JACOB SIPPEL.

VP-30 to Welcome First Production P-8A in March

Photo by Clark Pierce via a to the Jax Air News website.

The P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft – shown here on a 2011 visit to NAS Jax – is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX that brings together a highly reliable airframe and turbofan jet engines with a fully connected open architecture mission system. This combination, coupled with next-generation sensors, will dramatically improve anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. This year, VP-16 will be the Navy's first operational squadron to train and transition to the P-8A Poseidon.

Read more at Jacksonville.com

First P-8A Poseidon Arrives at NAS Patuxent River

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD (NNS) -- The first P-8A Poseidon test aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, April 10.

The aircraft, recently assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20, arrived after a six hour, 55 min. flight from Boeing's Seattle facilities. VX-20's Government Flight Test Director Cmdr. Jim Reining, along with VX-1's Operational Test Director Cmdr. John Verniest and Boeing's P-8A chief pilot Chris Dobb delivered the aircraft referred to as T1.

T1 began formal Navy flight testing at the Boeing facility in October 2009. The Integrated Test Team (ITT) spent the past six months executing ground and flight tests while maximizing the expertise of Boeing P-8A engineers and technicians.

"It was an exciting moment to watch the first P-8A Poseidon touch down at Pax River today," said Capt. Mike Moran, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program manager (PMA-290). "The maritime patrol and reconnaissance platform is in great demand throughout the world and this flight put us one step closer to delivering Poseidon to the fleet. I cannot be more proud of our team as they work to ensure this aircraft will meet our warfighters' requirements."

Moran said that the program continues to meet all performance criteria and is on track for initial operational capability in 2013.

"The ITT, along with all Boeing's Seattle production and maintenance team has worked very hard to get the aircraft to Pax River to complete the planned test program," said Reining. "The ITT is grateful for the strong support from PMA-290 and Boeing management and is excited to get to work testing at Pax River."

The Poseidon ITT, comprised of Navy test squadrons (VX-20 and VX-1), and Boeing, will utilize T1 to evaluate the P-8A's airworthiness and expand its flight envelope.

The program's other two flight test aircraft, T2 and T3, will transfer to Pax River later this 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.