Boeing ready to demo new maritime surveillance plane

SEATTLE, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Baseline ground and flight testing of Boeing's maritime surveillance aircraft are complete and customer demonstration flights are next.

The MAS is a modified Bombardier Challenger 605 business jet that leverages company technology in the P-8A Poseidon and the Airborne Warning and Control System Block 40/45 aircraft mission systems for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

"The mission systems flight test program proved the functionality and performance of the on-board sensors and was a huge accomplishment for the MSA team," said David Utz, MSA demonstrator flight test manager.

Testing included hundreds of scenarios for confirmation of the aircraft's automatic identification system, radar, electro-optical infrared camera, communications radios and data links, communications intelligence system and electronic support measures, Boeing said.

Airworthiness of the aircraft and certification testing was conducted last year.

Boeing said the demonstration flights of its MAS for potential customers would be conducted in coming months but gave no other details.