Boeing and U.S. Navy expand P-8A maritime patrol fleet
By Loren Blinde
July 6, 2014
Boeing recently helped expand the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol capabilities with delivery of the 14th P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The P-8A, delivered on schedule, is now with its squadron at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. Boeing will deliver seven more of the maritime patrol aircraft this year.
“We’re putting P-8A aircraft through their paces out in the field and appreciate all the reliability, capabilities and improvements the Poseidon brings to the table,” said U.S. Navy Commander Tony Rossi, P-8A deputy program manager. “The next squadron is trained, ready to go and will begin conducting missions in the near future.”
The first P-8A squadron deployed to Kadena, Japan, in December and has been conducting operational missions ever since. The second squadron will deploy this summer.
“Our team appreciates the Navy’s urgency to induct additional P-8As into the fleet,” said Rick Heerdt, Boeing mobility, surveillance & engagement vice president and program manager. “The positive feedback we’ve received about the aircraft currently in service is a great motivator.”
Based on the Boeing next-generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The Navy plans to purchase the versatile multi-mission aircraft to replace its P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As. The most recent delivery is the first from the third low-rate initial production contract awarded in 2012.
Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
