US Navy receives 5th production P-8A Poseidon
Boeing has announced that it delivered the fifth production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the US Navy on 2 November. The aircraft is one of 24 low-rate initial production (LRIP) maritime patrol aircraft the company is building for the navy as part of contracts awarded in 2011 and 2012.
This will be the final P-8A to be delivered this year, with the sixth scheduled for delivery in early 2013. The next three Poseidon aircraft are undergoing mission systems installation and checkout in Seattle, and two more are in final assembly. 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.
Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager, said: ‘Our in-line production approach, which draws on processes developed on the company's commercial and military programmes, has been key to our ability to increase production rates while reducing costs.’
Capt. Aaron Rondeau, US Navy P-8A Integrated Product Team lead, added: ‘As we transition to the P-8A and prepare for Initial Operational Capability in 2013, the US Navy is successfully flying the first production planes at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.’
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.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces
The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing
The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.