Boeing delivers new P-8A Poseidon to US Navy
The US Navy has taken delivery of the sixth production P-8A Poseidon aircraft built by Boeing, completing the first group of deliveries ordered under a January 2011 low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract.
Boeing reported that it remains on schedule to build 24 P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of contracts awarded in 2011 and 2012. The US Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8As in total to replace its P-3 fleet.
The P-8A is based on the next-generation Boeing 737-800 platform. The versatile multi-mission aircraft provides broad long-range maritime patrol capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Rick Heerdt, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager, said: ‘The P-8 team continues to incorporate efficiencies into our production as we ramp up deliveries in 2013. We’ve reduced flow times and costs, which ultimately benefits our US Navy customer.
The next three Poseidon aircraft are currently undergoing mission systems installation and checkout in Seattle, and two more are in final assembly. Boeing will deliver its seventh production P-8A to the navy later this quarter. The company is also providing maintenance training for the navy, in addition to logistics support, spares, support equipment and tools as part of the LRIP contracts.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US turns to allies to tackle navy shipbuilding backlog
A White House memorandum acknowledges US Navy shipbuilding backlogs and a weakened industrial base, opening a formal path for South Korean and Japanese yards to help rebuild capacity.
-
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
-
Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
-
Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs
Asian customers have placed one of the largest known international purchases of US-built uncrewed surface vessels, highlighting accelerating regional demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and distributed naval operations.
-
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.