Boeing Maritime Surveillance Aircraft for search and rescue, security completes first flight
NewsMarch 06, 2014
SEATTLE. The Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) demonstrator from Boeing, designed for anti-piracy patrols, coastal and border security, and search and rescue (SAR), successfully completed its first flight.
The four-hour test flight took place on February 28 by Boeing teammate Field Aviation, from the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft was used, and Field Aviation modified the structures and systems into the MSA configuration. "We accomplished everything we set out to achieve," says Field Aviation pilot Craig Tylski.
The MSA configurations provide multi-mission surveillance capabilities on the aircraft. Other configuration features are: Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mode radar, Automated Identification System (AIS), a Communications Intelligence sensor, an Electro/Optical/Infrared sensor, and Electronic Support Measures (ESM).
"The aerodynamic performance was right on the money and even with the additional aerodynamic shapes, such as the radome, the demonstrator performed like a normal aircraft. The control and handling were excellent," continues Tylski.
Additional test flights are scheduled for the next two months. Once these test flights are completed, the aircraft will be sent to a Seattle-based Boeing facility, where the MSA mission systems will be installed and tested.
For more information, visit www.boeing.com.
