A Royal Air Force Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft has been operating with a Royal Navy Frigate in the Baltic Sea to monitor submarine activity in the area.
Flying from RAF Lossiemouth, the CXX Squadron Poseidon MRA1 conducted Air-Maritime integration with HMS Richmond, a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate.
The aircraft and ship were operating as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force, which is a UK-led task group of 10 nations held at high-readiness to respond to global events.
The aim of this mission was to ensure the safe transit of British and Danish supply ships as they delivered military vehicles and equipment to their Battlegroup forces in Estonia.
“From conducting deep water operations in the Mediterranean to littoral operations in the Baltic, the Royal Air Force Poseidon Force is demonstrating its prowess as a force multiplier, enhancing the collective security of the UK; our NATO Allies and partners.”
Wing Commander Smolak
Officer Commanding 201 Squadron
The Poseidon is specifically designed to undertake extended surveillance missions at both high and low altitudes. The aircraft is equipped with cutting-edge sensors which uses high-resolution area mapping to find both surface and sub-surface threats.
The aircraft can carry up to 129 sonobuoys, small detection devices which are dropped from the aircraft into the sea to search for submarines. The systems survey under the surface of the sea and relay acoustic information via radio transmitter back to the aircraft.
