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Boeing is expected to begin flight testing a multi-purpose capsule developed at its own expense soon and expects to complete testing this summer.

The Navy has long sought to integrate a long-range ship-destroying missile. This development will benefit P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Experts at Boeing report that things are going really well for them. After the testing phase, the US Navy seems to have another capability.

LRASM and multi-mission pod in upcoming tests

If all goes well and as planned, P-8 manufacturer Boeing will integrate Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) into the P-8 Poseidon.

The deployment of this weapon on the Poseidon could test China’s naval power, analysts say. After tests, the P-8 can carry up to four LRASMs. The missile has a range of 200 nautical miles. The team is also developing a successor missile to the LRASM called HALO.

In addition, Boeing has developed a multi-purpose capsule to be mounted beneath the Poseidon and is expected to begin flight testing next month. Flight testing will be phased and could take up to two years.

Although organic components are preferred, flight tests may also include inorganic components.

Boeing works with customers

Interestingly, potential systems such as radars and other sensors depend on customer requirements. Jon Spore, senior business developer, said: “We work with customers to identify the sensors they want and with suppliers to find out what they can provide.”

Apart from that, Boeing is also overhauling Navy P-8 aircraft at Cecil Field, a former naval base, with a new upgrade called Increment 3 Block 2.

Boeing is under scrutiny due to safety issues

Boeing has been the subject of much criticism recently, most recently a whistleblower this month accusing the company of using faulty parts in its 737 Max aircraft.

The whistleblower claimed that Boeing had likely lost track of non-compliant parts and their installation in some aircraft.

Previously, former Boeing employee John Barnett was found dead after raising safety and quality control concerns. Barnett revealed that he had pressured factory workers to intentionally use substandard parts.

He found that workers often did not follow component tracking procedures, resulting in defective parts being lost.

As for the P-8, program manager Mark Stevens expects the first aircraft to be operational by January. Increment 3 Block 2 includes P-8s flown from Australia.

Stevens sees this as a positive development as it adds antennas to detect submarine signals, improves anti-submarine capabilities and integrates new broadband satellite communications.