Defense News reports that “Boeing let everybody in on one of its worst-kept secrets at the Dubai Airshow on Monday, naming the Bombardier Challenger 605 business jet as the platform for a new maritime surveillance aircraft program.”

“With maritime surveillance requirements in the Arabian Gulf region on the rise, Boeing Defense, Space & Security used the show to announce a tie-up with Bombardier and aircraft modifier Field Aviation to offer an aircraft based on the mission system used in the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol platform system it developed with the US Navy.”

“A Challenger jet — which Boeing says would be a third of the cost of a P-8 — is being modified with mission systems by Field and is scheduled to make its first flight next year ahead of trials and demonstration flights for potential customers.”