Sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft arrives in India
The sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali in India on 24 November, with delivery from Boeing occurring on schedule, the company has reported.
The aircraft will join the five previously-delivered P-8I MPAs and will commence flight trials with the Indian Navy shortly.
Boeing is under contract to deliver eight P-8I aircraft under a contract signed in 2009. The final two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2015.
The P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the 737-variant P-8A Poseidon that Boeing builds for the US Navy. The aircraft incorporates design features specific to the Indian Navy as well as Indian-built sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country’s maritime patrol requirements. The P-8I features open systems architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts, and support equipment.
P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
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