SEATTLE, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The structural integrity of new P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft has been confirmed in a series of tests by U.S. company Boeing.
Boeing said the tests began in May and were completed last month.
"The structure performed as we expected throughout testing, allowing us to efficiently expand the P-8A's flight-test envelope," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "Our static test plan was successful thanks to the combined efforts of Boeing's design, analysis and test teams and our U.S. Navy customer."
S1, the program's full-scale static ground-test vehicle, underwent 154 different tests in which it sustained loads equal to or greater than, those expected to occur during operational flights. There was no failure of the primary structure.
During 74 of the tests, the airframe was subjected to 150 percent of the highest expected flight loads, Boeing said.
Boeing in September team will begin refurbishing S1 to prepare it for live-fire testing. It will also begin fatigue tests on its second ground-test vehicle, S2, later this year.
The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.
Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.
A derivative of the Boeing's next-generation 737-800, the P-8A Poseidon is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
