United States Navy Returns with Two Assets!
#MAS25
Visitors to the Malta Airshow can hardly realize how fortunate we are, to once again, have the US Navy’s latest asset, in the form of a Boeing P-8 Poseidon, gracing our static park ! A
recently introduced air asset, which may almost be referred to as a brand new project, participating in our Airshow !
Last year’s flying display of this Maritime Patrol Aircraft, at our airshow, was effectively the first ever flying display participation of this aircraft, anywhere in the world, outside the US !
This year, we will be able to have a closer and more attentive look at the aircraft, when it participates in our static display, for the whole weekend and even with a possibility of having the aircraft performing a flying display over Smart City.(Flying To Be Confirmed)
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon has been developed by Boeing, based on the Boeing 737-800ERX
(Extended Range) airliner air frame. The P-8 conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping interdiction, along with an early warning self-protection
(EWSP) ability, otherwise known as electronic support measures (ESM). This involves carrying torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons. It is able to drop and monitor sonobuoys. The P-8 is operated by the U.S. Navy, the Indian Navy (as the P-8I Neptune), and the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF). The aircraft has also been ordered by the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF), and the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF), and it is a direct replacement to the venerable P-3 Orion, after many years of service, running into decades.
Accompanying the P-8, the US Navy MH-60 Seahawk will also be returning to the Malta International Airshow static park, after previous participation. Both US Navy assets will be flying in from nearby US Navy Air Bases in Sigonella (Sicilly) and Naples (Italy).
The Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk is a twin engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant air frame modification for seaborne naval use, is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships, when parked. The U.S. Navy uses the H-60 airframe under various versions. This helicopter is able to deploy aboard any air-capable frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, amphibious assault ship, or aircraft carrier. It can also handle anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare insertion, as well as search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue , vertical replenishment, and medical evacuation.
All Navy MH-60s carry a rescue hoist for SAR missions.
The Malta Aviation Society is proud that once again the U.S. Naval Air Forces is participating with their assets at our show.