General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited has secured a contract from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a specialised Acoustic Post-Flight Analysis (PFA) system for the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth.
Awarded through Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the MoD’s procurement body, this contract will enable advanced data processing and exploitation capabilities to support anti-submarine warfare operations.
The system will facilitate the replay and detailed analysis of full-mission data, incorporating an acoustic range prediction tool that enables Poseidon operators to conduct thorough assessments of the latest acoustic intelligence. This system is designed to enhance tactical preparedness and provide rapid briefing capabilities for subsequent missions.
“We are proud to continue our relationship with the Royal Air Force,” stated Tony Morris, Vice President of Air and Naval Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems–International. “Our acoustics processing technology will strengthen operational readiness and offer a tactical edge against modern submerged threats.”
Malcolm French, leader of the Poseidon Delivery Team at DE&S, highlighted the system’s strategic value: “This Post Flight Analysis tool marks a significant enhancement in our Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) capability for the UK Poseidon fleet.”
The MoD will procure three PFA units from General Dynamics, one of which will be installed at RAF Lossiemouth, with two deployable kits to provide flexible support. The contract also includes ongoing repair and maintenance services
Soon we will hear about another flop from general dynamics 😒
what a weird comment.
Will this system facilitate data fusion and analysis in conjunction w/ T-26 sonar data? Perhaps a deployable system could be hosted onboard the lead T-26, during Ops? 🤔
Emm, help. Ok I am not 100% sure on what this system is meant to do. I was under the impression that ASW was real time. If I or what I seem to understand from this article is that all the data gathered from an Op will then undergo further analysis when the aircraft has returned to base. Or is there a real time link to base and more powerful computing ability?
I do like FormerUSAF idea of having the P8 and T26 sensor suite being able to combine and analylise data as one. I should imagine that that would be more than possible as the T26 would or should be able to use all the data from NATO ASW helicopters.
So if someone could help me understand the system better I would be grateful.
To put such a system into Lossiemouth is a bit of a surprise, as previously all post mission acoustic analysis was carried out by RAF personnel down at DSTL (this is a longer more detailed look at the mission data that can’t really be conducted on the aircraft whilst prosecuting contacts) Perhaps the RAF are moving away from that and conducting more analysis on site so to speak, it probably means there is a time saving element to conducting such analysis at Lossie as opposed to Portadown Hill.
Portsdown Hill? Do you mean at the JMSC mate?
Interesting, I thought that was more RN / Home Office / Coast Guard orientated and did UK waters only.
Predictive txt for you mate, should say Portsdown Hill, that’s where DSTL now are and have been for a good decade at least. They have their own facility up there, next to Fort Nelson.
There is a military element that deal with ASW analysis from all 4 elements (SSM, GS, FAA and RAF).
Believe what you are referring to are located on the same foot print as the Sampson radar test facility but on the ground floor.
Hi mate.
Easy explanation clears it up. Yep, that’s where JMSC is located, at the Portsdown Hill site at the far eastern end.
The confusion is due to the DSTL site actually being called Portsdown West! Not hill, thus the confusion.
That site was greatly expanded after DSTL Fort Halsted closed.
DSTL PW is west of the old Fort Southwick Com Cen, and houses the DSTL Battlelab, the Platforms Division, and Hermes SGS.
But I wasn’t aware of their analysis function on that site, so I’ve learned something new, thank you.
You saying Portsdown Hill made me think DSTL also had a small presence at the official “Portsdown Hill” site, which is also the LBTS/MWIC/RNC4I MSU location, and with Sampson as you say.
Fascinating…..i knew of the old DERA analysis function at a certain place but now I know where they went!
Yes, you are right it’s PW, just me being lazy, I call everything up there, Portsdown Hill, because it’s a bloody big hill!
I was fortunate enough to have worked at both places back in the day. An interesting job.
The military are still up at the site, so I’m not entirely sure of the RAF having their own P8 analysis facility up in Lossie? Can only surmise it’s a time thing unless they plan to up sticks and take their acoustic analysis output up to Lossie?
The RAF also heads the training output and associated publications for all 4 branches out of there, so I’m not sure what would happen there if it all went to Scotland?
What really gets my interest is that that work was not done at the JMF at Mawgan. Which also had RAF and RN dets alongside the Americans.
Assume that dealt with SOSUS/ IUSS sensors only.
Yup, the JMF only dealt with SOSUS/IUSS data. Never the two shall meet as it were.
DSTzL dealt with everything from UK military assets.
Ok. I think I get what you’re saying.
One last thing, does the RAF det down at the Hill have a name, abbreviated of course?
No they don’t per se, they come under a general military abbreviation which encompasses all of it, can’t remember what it’s called thoug.h
Just perusing my files for a closer look, as I can only contribute so much off my head and was not home to look.
I found this lot.
“Strategic & Operational Analysis Group”
Within Exploration Division of DSTL at Portsdown West.
By the wording, maybe there is the RAF det within that.
Looking further into this, could it be related to this?
I won’t post a link as it will just get moderated.
“Poseidon Tactical Operations Centre” which has now been established at Lossi.
Not entirely sure but possible I imagine. Heaven knows what everyone is upto these days given reduced budgets etc.