US Navy recently signed a $109 million contract with Boeing to provide P-8A Poseidon training for the New Zealand Air Force (NZAF). The agreement encompasses a range of training systems and courseware and will prepare aircrew and maintainers to safely and effectively operate and maintain safely and effectively for decades.
Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon training system will enable the New Zealand Air Force to conduct 70 percent of all Poseidon-related training in a simulated environment. As part of the contract, Boeing will provide:
- Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) – Full-motion simulator incorporates all P-8 unique displays and switches.
- Weapons Tactics Trainer – Simulates mission systems and tactical operations, and when coupled with the OFT, forms a Weapons Systems Trainer that enables multi-crew, high-fidelity mission rehearsal training in the same simulated environment.
- Virtual Maintenance Trainer – Enables training of maintenance professionals to properly perform maintenance tasks and procedures on the P-8A aircraft.
- Scenario Generation Station – Creates custom scenarios for mission training.
- Brief/Debrief Station – Provides post-mission analysis and playback.
P-8 Poseidon Aircraft
In addition, Boeing’s Electronic Classroom will give NZAF instructors and students access to courseware and testing capabilities. Boeing also will provide initial Instructor Cadre Training to a group of NZAF instructors, enabling them to continue training additional NZAF P-8A instructors and aircrews. In March 2020, NZAF purchased four P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the US Navy. Besides, deliveries are expected to begin in 2024.
New Zealand is one of seven countries operating the P-8. P-8 Aircraft are in the inventory of the USA, India, Australia, Norway, South Korea and the United Kingdom, as well as New Zealand.
