The U.S. Navy has announced that they have awarded Boeing with a $1.9 billion (USD) contract for 11 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The new addition will take the total fleet to 24 and bolster the Navy’s anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The award of this contract follows two productions last year that totaled 13 aircraft. Boeing has delivered three of the production P-8As, which are based on the company’s Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, and the Navy plans to purchase 117 to replace its P-3 fleet.
“This contract is a stepping stone to full-rate production, and our focus remains on building Poseidon on cost and on schedule,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager.
Boeing assembles the P-8A aircraft in the same facility where it builds all its 737 aircraft. The Poseidon team uses a first-in-industry in-line production process that draws on Boeing’s Next-Generation 737 production system. All P-8A-unique modifications are made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.
“It has been an exciting and productive year for the P-8A program,” said Capt. Aaron Rondeau, P-8A deputy program manager for the Navy. “The fleet operators in Jacksonville are excited to have received their first three aircraft and look forward to the next delivery as they transition from the P-3 to the first P-8 fleet squadron.”
After assembly, the aircraft enter Boeing’s mission system installation and checkout facility for final modifications.
Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.
Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide.