"This
is our final P-8A delivery of the year; we’ll ramp up to 12 deliveries,
including P-8I aircraft for India, in 2013," said Chuck Dabundo,
Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "Our in-line production
approach, which draws on processes developed on the company's commercial
and military programs, has been key to our ability to increase production
rates while reducing costs."
"As we transition to the P-8A and prepare for Initial Operational
Capability in 2013, the U.S. Navy is successfully flying the first production
planes at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.," said Capt. Aaron
Rondeau, U.S. Navy P-8A Integrated Product Team lead.
The next three Poseidon aircraft are undergoing mission systems installation
and checkout in Seattle, and two more are in final assembly in Renton,
Wash. Boeing will deliver its sixth production P-8A to the Navy in early
2013.
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 LRIP contracts, Boeing is also providing aircrew and
maintenance training for the Navy, in addition to logistics support,
spares, support equipment and tools.
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![Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Nov. 2 delivered the fifth production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy. The P-8A is one of 24 low-rate initial production (LRIP) maritime patrol aircraft that Boeing is building for the Navy as part of contracts awarded in 2011 and 2012.](/images/stories/north_america/usa/aircraft/p-8a_poseidon/pictures/P-8A_Poseidon_LRIP_maritime_patrol_aircraft_Boeing_US_navy_001.jpg)