OREANDA-NEWS. Boeing [NYSE: BA] will provide the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with a complete training system for the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft under a contract that also includes the sale of four P-8A training systems for the U.S. Navy. This combined domestic and foreign military sale further strengthens the growing partnership between the U.S. Navy and the RAAF on the P-8 program.

The system utilizes simulators to train pilots and mission crews to operate the aircraft, its sensors, communications and weapons systems without relying on costly live flights.

“Boeing will deliver a seamless and comprehensive training solution for our customers’ pilots and mission crews” said Tom Shadrach, Boeing P-8 program manager on the Training Systems and Government Services team. “It will prepare them to use the world’s most advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine capabilities for any mission, at any time.”

Boeing currently provides P-8A aircrew training devices, electronic classrooms and courseware for the Navy at its 165,000-square-foot Integrated Training Center (ITC) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where the goal is to shift majority of the training to the ITC.

In February 2014, the Australian government approved the acquisition of eight P-8As and supporting infrastructure to include training and initial spares and support equipment. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017, the P8-A training system is expected to be delivered to Australia in 2018.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a \$31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide.