P-8 Poseidon Debuts at RIMPAC 2012

Aug 01

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The P-8 Poseidon is one of the most awaited aircraft of the U.S. Navy. It is a maritime patrol aircraft and it finally showed its capabilities at the ongoing Rim of the Pacific exercises, flown by two air crews from the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX)1.

Hailed to replace the 50 year old P-3C Orion, the P-8 Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. Two P-8 Poseidon participated in 24 exercise events including routine test flights and simulated anti-submarine warfare. VX-1 officials said that the P-8 has extensive training requirement because of the complexity and speed of the aircraft. The RIMPAC provides a venue to meet these requirements since it has a wide and open airspace as well as a robust exercise schedule where the capabilities of the P-8 Poseidon can be fully displayed.

Lt. Cmdr. Chris Artis, VX-1 maintenance officer and integrated team pilot, compares the P-3C to the P-8, “While the P-3C Orion is a very forgiving aircraft and has served the fleet very well, the P-8A Poseidon is easier to fly, trims well, and handles flawlessly [at low altitude.] It’s easy to maneuver, and the situational awareness in the cockpit is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Getting used to the technology and the different displays can be a challenge, but overall it’s fun to fly.”

The RIMPAC is a bi-annual military exercise held at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay. It is participated by 22 nations, including Japan and Australia. More than 200 aircraft, over 40 ships and submarines, and 25,000 personnel has joined the 23rd edition of the RIMPAC exercises.

With Warplanes you can display aeroplane models and wood ship models of the participants of RIMPAC right at your own home.

News source: blogs.ottawacitizen.com

U.S. Navy Will Use Old Warships for Target Practice Anew

Jul 06

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For almost two years, the U.S. Navy refrained from sinking old warships in the U.S. coastal waters due to environmental and financial concerns. The old warships are used as target practice for naval exercises. The Navy recently lifted the moratorium on this practice after evaluating the costs, benefits and environmental impact of the program.

Known as Sinkex, short for sinking exercise, Navy has used the target practice to dispose an old ship. Previous ship models that had undergone this treatment range from small vessels to large aircraft carriers like the USS America.

Later this month, three old vessels will follow the same fate. The Kilauea, Niagara Falls, and Concord will be sent in a watery grave off the coast of Hawaii during the Rim of the Pacific Naval Exercises. The RIMPAC will last for five weeks and it will involve over thousands of military personnel from 22 nations.

According to the Navy, the Sinkex offers important live-fire training for the times of war and provides clean vessels for at-sea, live-fire exercises. The ships provide exercises for airplane bombers, warships and submarines. The results can be used to aid acquisition, planning and design of future vessels.

Keep the spirits of the old navy vessels up float with the wood model ships from Warplanes. Warplanes manufactures beautiful wood model ships of famous navy vessels that you can display at your home or office.

 

News source: www.washingtonpost.com