A Royal Air Drive Poseidon maritime patrol plane has launched a torpedo for the primary time. In a coaching flight carried out over the Moray Firth a Poseidon (P-8A) plane operated by 120 Squadron, primarily based at RAF Lossiemouth, dropped a recoverable train variant of the Mark 54 Light-weight Torpedo, simulating an assault on a submarine. At slightly below 3m lengthy and 32cm in diameter, the Mk 54 torpedo is small and lightweight sufficient that 5 will be carried within the Poseidon’s inner weapons bay.

The high-explosive warheads on the reside torpedoes pack a devastating punch enough to destroy enemy submarines that the Poseidon crew can find and monitor utilizing state-of-the-art gear. The profitable launch of a torpedo is the newest milestone within the fast improvement of the Poseidon in RAF service. The station, which is located in shut proximity to one of many plane’s most frequent space of operations, is benefiting from a multi-million pound funding programme bringing important financial advantages to the Highlands & Islands and Morayshire communities.

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A Afterwards Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) carried out the flypast over, the spectacular new £100m P8 Strategic Facility – house to the UK’s Maritime Patrol Plane at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland.

“It’s been an ideal privilege to witness the laborious work of so many gifted people throughout the Royal Air Drive, civil service and business companions come collectively to allow us to launch and recuperate this torpedo. This train has proved every part is in place for our weapon technicians to quickly get these torpedoes onto our plane, so we are able to ship them wherever and at any time when they’re wanted,” mentioned Squadron Chief Higgins, Torpedo Venture lead.

5 Poseidon MRA1s are primarily based at RAF Lossiemouth with an additional 4 set to be delivered by the tip of this 12 months. The Poseidon is fitted with superior, state-of-the-art, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Floor Warfare sensors which is able to present world safety to UK, NATO and our Allies’ submarines and warships in an more and more harmful world. Watch Wing Commander James Hanson, Commanding Officer of 120 Squadron, focus on his expertise of dropping the primary torpedo from a Poseidon (P-8A).

In a training flight conducted over the Moray Firth on Thursday 22nd Jul 2021, a Poseidon aircraft operated by 120 Sqn, based at RAF Lossiemouth, dropped a recoverable exercise variant of the Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo, simulating an attack on a submarine.
In a coaching flight carried out over the Moray Firth on Thursday twenty second Jul 2021, a Poseidon plane operated by 120 Sqn, primarily based at RAF Lossiemouth, dropped a recoverable train variant of the Mark 54 Light-weight Torpedo