Boeing completes P-8 stores vibration tests

Boeing says it has completed stores ground vibration testing of its P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

The tests, conducted in Seattle in January and early February, comprised 18 different weapons configurations being loaded onto the T1 test aircraft and the aircraft being manipulated by external ‘shakers’ which induced vibration on the wings and horizontal stabiliser. The vibrations were measured by more than 100 accelerometers and other instruments placed throughout the aircraft.

“T1 responded as predicted throughout the rigorous set of tests,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing’s P-8 program manager. “This is a major milestone for the team and paves the way for in-flight testing and verification of the P-8A’s weapons capabilities.”

T1 is one of five test aircraft that will conduct the P-8’s development and flight test program prior to the aircraft entering service with the US Navy in 2013.