P-8 Submarine Hunter Needs 'Critical' Testing

[Broccoli]

The U.S. Navy's P-8A Poseidon needs more "critical testing" before the service decides to buy production models of the submarine-hunting plane, according to the Pentagon's inspector general's office.The Defense Department next month plans to hold a meeting to decide whether to begin full production of the Boeing Co.-made aircraft — before testing is completed to determine whether it meets life-expectancy requirements, according to the summary of an audit released this week on the website of the Defense Department's Office of Inspector General.

"Additional critical testing should be completed before the full-rate production (FRP) decision," according to the summary dated June 10.
The author of the report wasn't listed. The Pentagon's inspector general position has been vacant for months. The office is headed by Principal Deputy Inspector General Lynne Halbrooks. A decision by the Pentagon's top weapons buyer, Frank Kendall, to purchase the first 13 production models of the aircraft at an estimated cost of $2.6 billion "based on incomplete test results could result in costly retrofits to meet lifespan and mission and system performance requirements," it states.

http://defensetech.org/2013/06/12/pentagon-ig-p-8-poseidon-needs-critical-testing/

 

[TrueSpirit]

@Broccoli

How different is P-8A Poseidon from the version that India has contracted & already being delivered ?

 

[natarajan]

Even i got doubt when us itself didt get the first one how we could get the first

 

[Armand2REP]

The airframe is a modified 737, it is a well proven design.