Boeing
on July 17 delivered the second production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to
the U.S. Navy. The P-8A is one of 13 low rate initial production (LRIP)
maritime patrol aircraft that Boeing is building for the Navy as part
of two contracts awarded in 2011. Navy pilots flew the P-8A from Seattle
to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., where the first LRIP P-8A is
being used for aircrew training.
"We're proud to be able to meet our commitment and deliver another
Poseidon to the fleet," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president
and P-8 program manager. "Navy crews have had a couple of months
of training with the first plane, and their feedback has been positive."
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Three P-8As currently are undergoing
mission systems installation and checkout in Seattle, and three are in
final assembly in Renton, Wash. In order to efficiently design and build
P-8A aircraft for the Navy and P-8I aircraft for India, the Boeing-led
team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws
on the company's Next-Generation 737 production system. All aircraft modifications
are made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.
Overall, the Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine
warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.
As part of the two LRIP contracts, Boeing is providing aircrew and maintenance
training for the Navy, in addition to logistics support, spares, support
equipment and tools. Separate from the LRIP contracts, Boeing was awarded
a System Development and Demonstration contract in 2004 to build and test
six flight-test and two ground-test P-8A aircraft. The flight test aircraft
have completed more than 600 sorties and 2,800 flight hours, mainly at
Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. |
