Technology Magazine May 2025 | Page 81

DATA & ANALYTICS

“ LET’ S MAKE NO PRETENCE ABOUT IT – OUR JOB IN THE P-8 IS TO PROTECT THE CONTINUOUS AT-SEA NUCLEAR DETERRENT THAT THE UK HAS”

SQUADRON LEADER PETER ARMITAGE, OFFICER COMMANDING OF THE P-8 TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER
The stakes couldn’ t be higher: protecting the UK ' s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, safeguarding critical underwater infrastructure and maintaining a recognised maritime picture that ensures Britain’ s security.
“ Let’ s make no pretence about it – our job in the P-8 is to protect the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent that the UK has,” explains Squadron Leader Pete Armitage, Officer Commanding of the P-8 Tactical Operations Centre at RAF Lossiemouth.“ We do that by knowing where other potential adversaries are.”
The vital role of maritime reconnaissance Perched on Scotland’ s northeastern coast, RAF Lossiemouth houses four squadrons of Typhoon fighters that patrol UK airspace and nine state-of-the-art P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, with the new Boeing E-7 Wedgetail early warning aircraft set to join later this year.
“ That variety of operating aircraft makes RAF Lossiemouth unique,” says Paul Bell, Head of Media and Communications at the base.
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