Friday, November 12, 2010

DTN News: Boeing Completes 1st Wedgetail AEW&C Mission Crew Training Course For Royal Australian Air Force

Defense News: DTN News: Boeing Completes 1st Wedgetail AEW&C Mission Crew Training Course For Royal Australian Air Force
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales, - November 12, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Number 2 Squadron personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have delivered the first Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) mission crew training course at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales.

During the seven-month course, which began in March, eight instructors and three role players from Boeing Defence Australia provided eight RAAF students with more than 1,200 hours of programmed training on the airborne battle management aircraft's mission systems.

"Boeing Defence Australia is responsible for training the students in non-tactical areas across all aircraft mission systems, including data links, communications systems and the Multirole Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, to ensure they graduate with the necessary skills," said Todd Barker, Wedgetail AEW&C mission crew lead instructor and course director for Boeing Defence Australia.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial aircraft, the Wedgetail AEW&C platform is able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously through the advanced MESA radar and 10 mission crew consoles.

"As a key training service provider and integrator for the Australian Defence Force, Boeing Defence Australia continues to increase its in-country and international training footprint, as shown by the successful completion of Australia’s first AEW&C mission crew training course," said John Duddy, Boeing Defence Australia vice president and managing director. "Congratulations to the RAAF and Boeing Defence Australia's training team for this excellent outcome."

Subcontracted to The Boeing Company under the Wedgetail In-Service Support contract, Boeing Defence Australia is responsible for program management, supply chain management and engineering, maintenance and training services to support the six-aircraft fleet's introduction into RAAF service. To date, three aircraft have been formally accepted in an initial operating configuration by the Commonwealth. The fourth and fifth aircraft are scheduled to be delivered later this year and the remaining aircraft will be delivered in 2011.

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of more than 1,500 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Sarah Wills
Boeing Defence Australia
+61 7-3306-3132
sarah.e.wills@boeing.com

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
© Copyright (c) DTN News Defense-Technology News

DTN News: Boeing Opens New P-8 Production Facility In Seattle

Defense News: DTN News: Boeing Opens New P-8 Production Facility In Seattle
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE, - November 12, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] today (Nov 11, 2010) celebrated the opening of a new P-8 aircraft production facility near Boeing Field in Seattle. The refurbished factory gives Boeing and its P-8 teammates the space they need to install mission systems and conduct tests on aircraft for current and future customers.

"The new factory is a great fit as Boeing transitions to building production aircraft, in part because it allows us to incorporate a leaner workflow," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "We’ll complete work on the P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the P-8I aircraft for the Indian navy in this facility, and plan to use this space for future P-8 customers’ aircraft as well."

The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its existing P-3 fleet. Initial operational capability is scheduled for 2013. The Indian navy signed a contract for eight P-8I aircraft in January 2009. Boeing will deliver the first P-8I within 48 months of contract signing, and the remaining seven by 2015.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes employees assemble the P-8 aircraft -- which are based on the company’s Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane -- in Renton, Wash. Following final assembly, the P-8s make a short flight to Boeing Field. Inside the new facility, Defense, Space & Security employees will complete systems installation and testing prior to customer delivery.

Boeing is using a proven in-line production process to efficiently design and build the aircraft. All aircraft modifications unique to the P-8 are made in sequence during fabrication and assembly. Implementing established best practices and common, commercial production-system tools enables the team to reduce flow time and cost while ensuring quality.

As part of the U.S. Navy System Development and Demonstration contract Boeing received in 2004, the team is building and testing six flight-test and two ground-test aircraft. The first three flight-test aircraft are completing testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

The P-8 is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, GE Aviation and BAE Systems.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Chick Ramey
P-8 Communications
Office: 253-657-5636
Mobile: 206-851-4147
charles.b.ramey@boeing.com

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
© Copyright (c) DTN News Defense-Technology News