MPA: Cápsula multimisión para los P-8A americano

Se muestra el P-8A Poseidon de la Armada de EE. UU. con una nueva cápsula multimisión

 

Escuadrón P-8A Poseidon VX-20 con cápsula multimisión (foto: Connor Ochs/Airplane Fotos)

La cápsula multimisión (MMP), que actualmente se está probando en el P-8A Poseidon del Escuadrón de Evaluación y Prueba Aérea (VX-20), está financiada internamente por Boeing y está destinada a transportar sensores no orgánicos para Poseidon.

Boeing detalló recientemente las pruebas en curso de nuevas capacidades en el Poseidon, incluido el misil antibuque de largo alcance (LRASM) y el MPP de la Estación Aérea Naval Patuxent River, Maryland, la base de operaciones del VX-20.

Cápsulas multimisión

La cápsula fue desarrollada con las mismas herramientas de diseño digital utilizadas para el avión de entrenamiento avanzado T-7 Red Hawk, dijo Boeing, y está destinada a ser instalada en puntos de acceso de montaje, energía y refrigeración existentes ya proporcionados para el radar APS-154 Advanced Airborne. Sensores (AAS). Se dice que las pruebas en el túnel de viento muestran sólo un aumento insignificante en la resistencia con las cápsulas instaladas.

P-8A Poseidon con cápsula/plataforma multimisión (imagen: Boeing)

Boeing proporcionó información de que la Marina de los EE. UU. adjudicó un contrato para integrar la cápsula en Poseidon en septiembre de 2023. Con estas pruebas, Boeing espera obtener la certificación a finales del verano de este año.

"La cápsula multimisión es algo que Boeing ha estado desarrollando durante varios años", dijo Jon Spore, gerente de desarrollo comercial del programa P-8. “Y para aumentar las capacidades de la aeronave, se diseñaron cápsulas multimisión para transportar sensores que no son orgánicos del P-8.

Actualmente se desconoce la carga útil de la cápsula, aunque Boeing dijo que "cualquier sensor que coincida con el tamaño, peso, potencia y parámetros de enfriamiento del MMP es un candidato potencial para la integración con el MMP y la aeronave".

The Aviationist

Australia: 140 millones USD para modernizar los P-8

 

Australia adjudica un contrato de 139,5 millones de dólares para mejoras del P-8A

16 de abril de 2024

El P-8A Poseidon mejorará sus capacidades de guerra antisubmarina, ataque marítimo e inteligencia, vigilancia y reconocimiento  (foto: Aus DoD)

Se crearán decenas de puestos de trabajo locales en Australia del Sur a través de un nuevo contrato para mejorar la flota de aviones P-8A Poseidon de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana.

El Gobierno de Albanese ha firmado un contrato de 139,5 millones de dólares con Boeing Defense Australia para actualizar el software, los sistemas y los sensores del Poseidon en la Base RAAF de Edimburgo, respaldando 50 nuevos puestos de trabajo altamente cualificados en la industria de defensa.

El avión Poseidon P-8A es el avión de patrulla marítima de Australia y este trabajo crítico mejorará la guerra antisubmarina, el ataque marítimo y las capacidades de inteligencia, vigilancia y reconocimiento del avión.

Estas actualizaciones también garantizarán la interoperabilidad continua con los aliados y socios de Australia.

Boeing Defense Australia reclutará y capacitará a aprendices y aprendices de la cadena de suministro para brindar apoyo al P-8A Poseidon, brindando capacitación y vías para que los australianos obtengan empleo a largo plazo en una industria crítica. 

Citas atribuibles al Ministro de Industria de Defensa, Pat Conroy:

“Este anuncio crea 50 nuevos puestos de trabajo y se suma a la fuerza laboral existente de 283 empleados actualmente por Boeing Defense Australia en la Base RAAF de Edimburgo.

“Invertir en esta actualización crítica de nuestra flota P-8A Poseidon creará nuevas oportunidades para que los aprendices aprendan habilidades valiosas y forjen una carrera que ofrezca empleo a largo plazo y bien remunerado, al mismo tiempo que garantizará que nuestra Fuerza de Defensa esté equipada con las capacidades que necesita. necesita mantener seguros a los australianos”.

( Departamento de Defensa de Australia )

Poseidon All Black vuela a Fiji

 

Poseidon de la RNZAF inicia vuelos de prueba en Fiji, continúa la conexión de Fiji

RNZAF P-8A sin registro NZ4802 (foto: NZDF)

Las pruebas son una parte importante de la puesta en servicio del nuevo avión y también continúan las conexiones de larga data entre la RNZAF y Fiji.

El avión de patrulla marítima multimisión Poseidón está reemplazando al recientemente retirado P-3K2 Orions de la RNZAF, que entró en servicio por primera vez en la década de 1960.

La RNZAF tendrá una flota de cuatro Poseidons que respaldarán operaciones de paz y seguridad, vigilancia marítima, búsqueda y rescate, protección de recursos y asistencia humanitaria y respuestas a desastres en Nueva Zelanda, el Pacífico y en todo el mundo. 

Comenzarán a volar en operaciones a mediados de 2023.

El Comandante del Componente Aéreo, el Comodoro Aéreo Shaun Sexton, dijo que las pruebas operativas y el desarrollo fueron una parte importante de la introducción al servicio de un avión moderno como el Poseidón.

La aeronave será operada por el No. 5, que voló el Orion, pero con los nuevos sistemas en el Poseidon no se trataba simplemente de transferir procedimientos del Orion al nuevo avión, dijo.

La fase de pruebas y desarrollo aseguró que todos los sistemas operativos, incluida la tripulación aérea, el mantenimiento, el apoyo a la misión y los habilitadores aéreos, estuvieran listos para las misiones.

RNZAF P-8A sin registro NZ4802 (foto: NZDF)

“Con el vuelo inaugural a Fiji de uno de nuestros nuevos aviones P-8A, y siendo Fiji la primera nación del Pacífico desde la que operará el P-8A durante las pruebas, también continuamos una conexión con Fiji que se remonta a muchos años atrás. ”, dijo el comodoro aéreo Sexton. 

“Aviones de patrulla marítima de largo alcance operados desde Fiji durante y después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. No. El Escuadrón 5 se formó en Laucala Bay y durante más de 13 años voló hidroaviones Short Sunderland desde allí”.

Dado su origen, el lema del Escuadrón es fiyiano: “Keitou kalawaca na wasaliwa”, que se traduce como “Atravesamos los mares”.

Por más de 57 años, No. El Escuadrón 5 y el P-3K2 eran habituales en los cielos de Fiji.

“Hemos basado nuestro avión P-3K2 en Fiji durante operaciones de búsqueda y rescate de varios días o patrullas marítimas en el Pacífico. Tenemos muchas ganas de ver que esta conexión continúe”, dijo Air Commodore Sexton.

NZDF 

Primer Poseidon All Black ya vuela

El primer Poseidón de la RNZAF realiza el primer vuelo

Primer P-8A de la RNZAF (foto: Boeing)

Mira cómo el primer P8 de Nueva Zelanda surca los cielos para su vuelo inaugural.

Después de algunas pruebas clave, este avión de patrulla marítima multimisión, el primero de cuatro para la RNZAF, se entregará a finales de este año.

  Defensa Boeing 

All Blacks: Rueda el primer P-8A

Se lanza el primer Boeing P-8A Poseidon de Nueva Zelanda

 


Avión RNZAF P-8A Poseidon (fotos: Boeing)


RENTON, Washington, -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] presentó hoy el primer avión P-8A Poseidon para Nueva Zelanda con su librea de la Real Fuerza Aérea de Nueva Zelanda (RNZAF). Nueva Zelanda es una de las ocho naciones que han adquirido el P-8 como su nuevo avión de patrulla marítima multimisión.

“El avión presenta el icónico kiwi roundel, un ave nativa de Nueva Zelanda”, dijo Sheena Vince Cruz, gerente del programa de la región Asia-Pacífico del Boeing P-8. Aunque no puede volar, el pájaro kiwi es reconocible y seguirá 'volando' como símbolo en el P-8A durante las próximas décadas”.



El gobierno de Nueva Zelanda compró cuatro aviones de reconocimiento y patrulla marítima Boeing P-8A Poseidon que eventualmente reemplazarán la flota actual de seis aviones P-3K2 Orion envejecidos. Los P-8A proporcionarán capacidades avanzadas para mantener la conciencia situacional en las aguas vecinas sobre y debajo de la superficie del océano.

El primer vuelo está programado para las próximas semanas, seguido de la instalación de los sistemas de la misión. El avión está programado para ser entregado al Ministerio de Defensa de Nueva Zelanda a finales de este año.

 Boeing

Flota de Poseidon australiana dañada por granizo

Flota australiana de P-8A dañada por granizo

P-8A Poseidón de la RAAF (foto: Aus DoD)


El Departamento de Defensa de Australia (DoD) está evaluando el daño causado a su flota de aviones multimisión marítimos (MMA) Boeing P-8A Poseidon después de "un evento meteorológico severo" el año pasado.

Un portavoz del Departamento de Defensa le dijo a Janes el 13 de enero que una tormenta de granizo en el sur de Australia había afectado a un número no revelado de Poseidón y que la aeronave estaba siendo inspeccionada para determinar el alcance del daño.

“Como resultado de un evento meteorológico severo el 28 de octubre de 2021, varios aviones Poseidon P-8A de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana (RAAF) con base en la Base de la RAAF en Edimburgo sufrieron daños por impacto de granizo. Se ha llevado a cabo un programa de inspección detallado y completo para evaluar los daños e implementar las reparaciones. [La] RAAF sigue siendo capaz de completar las tareas operativas y tiene suficientes aeronaves para cumplir con los requisitos de preparación”, dijo el Departamento de Defensa.

Si bien el departamento no dijo cuántos Poseidones estuvieron involucrados en el incidente.


 Jane 

Contrato para simulador de P-8A neozelandés

CAE Awarded Contract from Boeing to Develop P-8A Operational Flight Trainer for RNZAF

CAE will design and manufacture a P-8A flight simulator for the Royal New Zealand Air Force similar to the P-8A operational flight trainer shown above already delivered to the U.S. Navy (photo : CAE)


On the eve of the start of the CAE OneWorld 2021 virtual conference and tradeshow, CAE today announced that during its fiscal third quarter Boeing ordered a P-8A operational flight trainer (OFT) for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

CAE will design and manufacture the hardware for the RNZAF’s P-8A flight simulator. In addition, CAE will develop a suite of P-8A Aircraft Equipment enhanced Desktop Environment (AeDTE) trainers, which will be used as role playing stations during training of P-8A aircrews. The P-8A OFT and AeDTEs are scheduled for delivery to RNZAF Base Ohakea in 2023.

The CAE OneWorld virtual conference and tradeshow begins tomorrow and will feature a range of panel discussions, conference presentations, and product demonstrations on the latest digital innovations for military training and simulation. CAE OneWorld 2021 is free to all attendees who register (https://www.caeoneworld2021.com/) and will remain online for one month.

“We are pleased to continue supporting Boeing on the development of training systems for the international customers acquiring the next-generation P-8 maritime patrol aircraft,” said Daniel Gelston, Group President, Defence & Security, CAE. “We are a strategic partner to the New Zealand Defence Force due to the critical training services we provide across a range of platforms such as the T-6C, SH-2G, and NH90. We look forward to the P-8 being added to the list of training systems that CAE has played a role in delivering to support the safety, training and readiness of Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew.”

The P-8A OFT for the RNZAF will be similar to the P-8A OFTs that CAE and Boeing have already developed for the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Royal Air Force. CAE designs and manufactures the P-8 OFT hardware to Level D standards, the highest qualification for flight simulators. CAE also provides the 737-800 OFT software baseline and simulation-based software lab environment that is used for the P-8 OFT development and integration tasks. CAE then delivers the simulators to Boeing, who designs, installs and integrates software specific to the P-8 aircraft.

CAE

Nuevo simulador de P-8 Poseidon para los All Blacks

Boeing Wins $109M for New Zealand’s P-8A Trainers

An RAAF P-8A operational flight trainer (photo : Aus DoD)


The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $109,155,844 firm-fixed-price order (N61340-21-F-0002) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0002 to procure P-8A training systems for the government of New Zealand.

This order procures one Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) with one OFT Brief/Debrief Station (BDS); one Weapons Tactics Trainers (WTTs) with one WTT BDS; one 10-seat flight management systems trainer electronic classroom; one 10-seat mission systems desktop trainer electronic classroom; one training system support center; one scenario generation station; one virtual maintenance trainer; one maintenance support cabinet; and one 10-seat maintenance electronic classroom.

Additionally, this order provides for software, books and other publications, contracts, logistics, engineering and management technical assistance required for the development, production, test and in-country delivery, installation and inspection of the training systems.

Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (36%); Tampa, Florida (23%); Long Island, New York (12%); Ohakea, New Zealand (10%); San Francisco, California (8%); Huntington Beach, California (5%); Seattle, Washington (3%); and Jacksonville, Florida (3%), and is expected to be completed in January 2024.

Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $109,155,844 will be obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity.


Departamento de Defensa de USA

Primer reabastecimiento en vuelo de un P-8A australiano

Air-to-Air Refuelling a First

In a first, a RAAF KC-30A refuels a P-8A Poseidon (photo : Aus DoD)


The RAAF P-8A Poseidon fleet has taken a step towards full operational capability with one of the surveillance aircraft completing the first air-to-air refuelling with a KC-30A multi-role tanker transport.

The two aircraft undertook seven refuelling flights from September 22 to October 1, with the KC-30A leaving its home base of RAAF Amberley and meeting up with the P-8A Poseidon from RAAF Base Edinburgh’s No. 92 Wing.

Using the 11-metre advanced refuelling boom system mounted on the KC-30A, the refuelling contact between the two aircraft was made in the designated training airspace off the coast of Queensland.

Captain of the P-8A Poseidon Squadron Leader Chris Godfrey said extensive planning was the key to the success of the missions.

“The execution of air-to-air refuelling requires extensive planning and training in both the simulator and airborne environment,” Squadron Leader Godfrey said.

“This included rigorous training scenarios to ensure we were ready for the demanding aerial refuelling flights.”

During the refuelling missions, crews of both aircraft had to ensure the connections between the aircraft were precise to allow for the transfer of fuel.

On the ground, communications between No. 92 Wing and No. 33 Squadron aircrew also was key to the success of the flights.

“Fundamentally, it’s a team effort both in the air and on the ground,” Squadron Leader Godfrey said.

“This included our No. 11 Squadron maintenance personnel who worked long hours over the past couple of months to ensure the serviceability of the aircraft for the aerial refuelling flights.

“I was incredibly proud to play a part in the mission and operate within such an effective and focused team.”

Officer Commanding No. 92 Wing Group Captain John Grime said the missions were an important capability outcome.

“The missions represent a significant achievement for the RAAF P-8A fleet on our path to final operational capability,” Group Captain Grime said.

“It enhances the existing operational effectiveness of the aircraft’s long-range surveillance capabilities, extending the endurance and radius of action of the platform.”

The collaborative efforts of No. 92 and 86 Wings played a significant role in the mission’s success.

“The strong partnership with No. 33 Squadron’s KC-30A team demonstrates our ability to integrate fifth-generation capabilities and strengthens our air power contribution for the joint force,” Group Captain John Grime said.

Officer Commanding No. 86 Squadron Group Captain Anthony Bull said RAAF KC-30A crews had previously completed refuelling trials with United States Navy P-8As.

“Adding RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon to our scope of support reinforces the value of the KC-30A in the battlespace,” Group Captain Bull said.

“It delivers an extremely agile capability across multiple platforms in support of operations at home and abroad.”

To further enhance the training outcomes of the mission, an Air Combat Group AAA Learjet acted as the photographic chase aircraft capturing the historic air-to-air refuelling missions.


Ministerio de defensa de Australia

Boeing producirá 4 Poseidon para Nueva Zelanda y otros países

Boeing will Start to Produce Four Poseidon for NZ and Other Countries

P-8A Poseidon neozelandés (image : RNZAF)

The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $1,554,398,639 modification (P000170) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0067). This modification procures 18 Lot 11 P-8A maritime aircraft for the Navy (eight); the government of New Zealand (four); and the Republic of Korea (six).

Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (97.45%); Huntington Beach, California (1.81%); Meza, Arizona (0.64%); El Segundo, California (0.05%); Huntsville, Alabama (0.04%), and Dallas, Texas (0.01%).

The procurement also includes a segregable effort consisting of unknown obsolescence for Lot 11, Class 1 change assessment and obsolescence monitoring as well as non-recurring engineering for the Republic of Korea.

Work is expected to be complete by October 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $219,701,615; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $1,334,697,024 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($219,701,615; 14%); the government of New Zealand ($522,962,247; 34%); and the government of the Republic of Korea ($811,734,777; 52%). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Departamento de Defensa de USA

Poseidon All Blacks

New Zealand to Purchase Four Boeing P-8A Poseidon

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes are expected to replace a fleet of retiring P-3K planes. (photo : Air Team)

Defence Minister Ron Mark one step closer to replacing old military planes

Defence Minister Ron Mark is one step closer to making the biggest defence procurements in recent years.

Mark will take his proposal to purchase up to four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes from the United States to the Cabinet Government Administration and Expenditure Review Committee on Monday.

The planes, which would replace replace its retiring P-3 maritime patrol fleet, could cost up to US$1.4 billion (NZ$2.03 billion).This would be one of the most significant purchases, since the frigate upgrade.

Ron Mark's procurement proposal will go to the Cabinet committee on Monday. And while he said he did not want to preempt the final Cabinet decision, he told people to "buckle up".

However, the New Zealand Defence Force says the price is likely to be less than that.

Once the Cabinet committee had seen the proposal, it would have to go to Cabinet, before a decision on the purchase was made. There was no set date for the proposal to go to cabinet, but Mark said that was expected to happen before the end of July.

During a Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee hearing earlier this month, Mark said he had to start "from scratch" on the procurement plan, when he took on the job as minister, last year.

See full article Stuff

Nueva Zelanda quiere Poseidon y saca la billetera

New Zealand Agreed to Buy Four P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft

P8A Poseidon aircraft

The coalition Government has agreed to purchase four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States Government.

The four aircraft will replace the aging six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft that have been operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force since the 1960s. The current Orion fleet will reach the end of their expected operational life in 2025.

“The purchase ensures the Defence Force can continue to deliver the country’s maritime surveillance, resource protection, humanitarian and disaster response around New Zealand and across the South Pacific,” says Ron Mark.

“This decision strengthens the coalition Government’s Pacific Reset by providing a maritime patrol capability with the significant range and endurance needed to assist our partners in the region.

“The purchase enables New Zealand to continue to deploy in a wide range of airborne maritime situations independently, and when required, work effectively with partners including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which all operate, or will operate, the aircraft,” says Ron Mark.

The role of maritime patrol aircraft includes:

-Supporting maritime surveillance, humanitarian aid and disaster response, and resource protection around NZ and in the South Pacific;
-Contributing to the international rules based order through participation in global peace and security operations;
-Search and rescue in New Zealand’s region, which stretches from the South Pole almost to the Equator and covers 1/11th of the earth’s surface;
-Environmental and marine resource monitoring.

“One example of the requirement for a fully capable maritime patrol aircraft is simply the number of lives that can be saved,” Mr Mark said.

“In the last seven years of search and rescue operations in our region, Orion maritime patrols have contributed to saving 119 lives.

“Other tasks the Orions have undertaken recently have included participation in international operations to counter piracy and illicit smuggling off the Horn of Africa, surveillance of the volcano in Vanuatu, assessing damage from Cyclones Winston and Gita in the Pacific, surveillance of critical infrastructure after the Kaikoura earthquake, and fisheries monitoring.

“Maintaining a maritime patrol capability is essential for New Zealand’s national security, and for our ability to contribute to global security efforts,” says Ron Mark.

The new P-8As, training systems, infrastructure and introduction into service costs will total $2.346 billion. They will be delivered and begin operations from 2023.

The capital cost will be spread over a number of financial years out to 2025/26. This is an investment decision that has fallen on this Government to make, but will be spread over the medium term and will deliver for New Zealand for many decades to come. The P-8A was the most cost-effective maritime patrol aircraft option available.

No. 5 Squadron, which currently operates the Orions, will shift from Whenuapai to Ohakea air force base to operate the P-8As.

The Government will also consider options for a complementary maritime surveillance capability during the forthcoming Defence Capability Plan review, due to be completed by the end of 2018.

“The complementary capability will consider smaller manned aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or satellites, for additional maritime surveillance tasks within New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone and near region. This will free up the new P-8A fleet to fly more missions, in the South Pacific and further afield,” says Ron Mark.

NZ DoD

Australia entrena con P-8A y KC-30

RAAF KC-30 Conducts P-8A Refuelling Trials

RAAF KC-30A refuelling US Navy P-8A Poseidons

An RAAF KC-30A MRTT has returned from a six week detachment to NAS Patuxent River in Maryland where it conducted a series of air-to-air refuelling trials with US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidons.

From February 27 to Aril 14, the KC-30 along with members of 33SQN and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) undertook the clearance trials with the US Navy’s P-8A Integrated Test Team from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX-20).

The clearance test were conducted in preparation for the commencement of RAAF P-8A refuelling operations back in Australia.

ADBR

Envidia: 4 Poseidon para Nueva Zelanda

US Approves Sale of Four P-8A to New Zealand
DSCA

Boeing P-8A Poseidon

WASHINGTON - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to New Zealand for P-8A aircraft and associated support. The estimated cost is $1.46 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 27, 2017.

New Zealand has requested the potential sale of up to four (4) P-8A Patrol Aircraft. Each includes: commercial engines, Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS), Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System, AN/APY-10 Radar, ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures. Also included are eight (8) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS); five (5) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; five (5) System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N; thirty (30) AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; ten (10) LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGIs); support equipment; operation support systems; maintenance trainer/classrooms; publications; software, engineering, and logistics technical assistance; foreign Liaison officer support, contractor engineering technical services; repair and return; transportation; aircraft ferry; and other associated training, support equipment and services. The total estimated cost is $1.46 billion.

Boeing P-8A Poseidon 

This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security of the United States by strengthening the security of a Major Non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability within the region. New Zealand is a close ally in the region and an important partner on critical foreign policy and defense issues.

The Government of New Zealand intends to use these defense articles and services to continue its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) capability, following retirement of its P-3K maritime patrol aircraft.

The sale will strengthen collective defense and enhance New Zealand’s regional and global allied contributions.

New Zealand has procured and operated U.S. produced P-3 MSA for over 40 years, providing critical capabilities to NATO and coalition maritime operations. New Zealand has maintained a close MSA acquisition and sustainment relationship with the U.S. Navy over this period. The proposed sale will allow New Zealand to recapitalize, modernize and sustain its MSA capability for the next 30 years. As a long-time P-3 operator, New Zealand will have no difficulty transitioning its MSA force to the P-8A and absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

Japón ofrece aviones antisubmarinos a Gran Bretaña

Tokio sale a vender sus armas al mundo

En el marco de una política exportadora de armas más agresiva, las autoridades japonesas están intentando vender el avión de patrulla marítima (MPA) Kawasaki P-1 a los militares británicos, que han perdido esa vital capacidad desde la baja de los Nimrod.

El P-8 Poseidon y el Kawasaki P-1 podrían competir duramente por obtener un contrato británico (Foto: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Douglass G. Wojciechowski/ US Navy)

De acuerdo con lo informado por la agencia Reuters, los representantes de Tokio hicieron el ofrecimiento durante el Salón Aeronáutico de Fanborough, en julio de 2014, en un acuerdo que podría superar el billón de dólares.

El camino del P-1 para incorporarse a las filas de la RAF no está libre de obstáculos, dado que para concretar ese objetivo tendría que enfrentarse a la competencia del Boeing P-8 Poseidon.

Este desafío atrae a los nipones, debido a que el sólo hecho de que los británicos estudien y sometan a pruebas a su aeronave para compararla con la estadounidense significaría atraer la atención mundial sobre este producto de Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

Si la venta del Kawasaki P-1 llegara a concretarse, sería el primer contrato militar importante de Japón fuera de la región Asia-Pacífico y le daría un gran impulso a los planes de su industria militar de convertirse en uno de los grandes actores en el mercado mundial de armas.

Cabe recordar que en abril del año pasado, el gobierno japonés dispuso aliviar las restricciones que pesaban sobre las exportaciones militares de ese país. A partir de entonces, el Ministerio de Defensa ha estado abocado a buscar oportunidades de negocios en distintos mercados, incluidos posibles acuerdos de venta de submarinos a Australia e hidroaviones a la India.