Fifth Poseidon, named Fulmar, arrives at RAF Lossiemouth
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THE Royal Air Force’s fifth Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft arrived at RAF Lossiemouth this morning.
The aircraft is named Fulmar in a nod to RAF Lossie's naval past, with the station called HMS Fulmer between 1946 and 1972.
Fulmar flew directly from Boeing Field near Seattle, with the crossing taking slightly more than eight hours.
It’s the first time that an RAF Poseidon has been delivered to Scotland straight from the factory.
Fulmar's arrival represents another milestone in the development of Lossiemouth’s Maritime Patrol capability. Poseidon MPA can react quickly to track potential threats over large areas of sea or ocean in order to defend the UK's submarine fleet.
A Poseidon Commander said: “Monitoring and tracking all activity in seas around the United Kingdom is paramount to our security.
"The arrival of this latest aircraft helps to ensure that we have the continued capability to defend our waters and support our NATO partners.”
Boeing’s Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) is a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with sensors and weapons systems for anti-submarine warfare, as well as surveillance and search and rescue missions.
It features an APY-10 radar for high-resolution mapping, an acoustic sensor system, an electro-optical turret and electronic support measures.
The aircraft can also be armed with a weapons system that includes torpedoes for engaging sub-surface targets.
Nine Poseidon MRA Mk. 1 aircraft have been ordered for the Royal Air Force and the addition of ZP805 takes the number on fleet past the half way mark.
