The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing, a $1.98 billion firm fixed-price-contract for the procurement of 13 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot...
As of last month, US Navy has received nine P-8A LRIP aircraft, which fleet operators are currently conducting training on, flying, and preparing for the aircraft’s first-ever operational deployment.
US Navy announced in a report July 1, the P-8A program passed Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, and was found operationally effective, operationally suitable, and recommended for fleet introduction.
This year, the Navy's patrol and reconnaissance community's deployment cycle will see the P-8A actively participating in missions. Until transition to the P-8 is complete in 2019, P-3C Orion and EP-3 Aries II squadrons will augment this first P-8 deployment to fulfill global maritime patrol and reconnaissance force requirements.
The first fleet squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, Patrol Squadron (VP16), has received all six LRIP Lot 1 aircraft and completed their P-3C to P-8A transition. As VP-16 continues preparations for the first operational P-8A deployment in December, deliveries of LRIP Lot 2 aircraft are continuing to progress and the second squadron to transition to the P-8, VP-5, is on track with their training and qualifications.
The Navy has now ordered 37 of the 117 P-8As it is expected to buy. To date, 10 have been delivered.
Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8 provides anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.The P-8 is replacing the Navy’s Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion aircraft.
Boeing assembles P-8As in the same facility where it builds all its 737s. The Poseidon team uses a first-in-industry in-line process that takes advantage of the efficiencies in the Next-Generation 737 production system. After initial assembly, the P-8A aircraft enter a separate mission system installation and checkout facility for final modifications and testing.
Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International (engine), Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation (engine).
Source: NAVAIR / Boeing
