Boeing starts P-8A Poseidon assembly

ST. LOUIS, April 3 (UPI) -- Boeing has started final assembly on its first P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft for the U.S. Navy.

The P-8A is designed to boost the Navy's air capacity for "long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance," Boeing said.

Final assembly began after Spirit AeroSystems handed over the first P-8A fuselage to the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash. Boeing technicians are now putting systems, wiring, tubing and other parts into that body. Its wings are scheduled to be added before the end of 2008.

"The Navy expects us to meet each and every commitment, and achieving this milestone demonstrates that the P-8A team is up to the task," said Bob Feldmann, Boeing vice president and P-8A program manager.

"Our Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Spirit AeroSystems teammates deserve credit for their outstanding performance and teamwork in building the wings and fuselage for the first test aircraft," Feldmann said.

Boeing said its Integrated Defense Systems and Commercial Airplanes divisions were cooperating on construction of the P-8A, which is adapted from the commercial Boeing 737-800 airliner. Boeing said the adaptation of a successful commercial and well-tested airframe had enabled the company to significantly cut production time and costs on the project.

"We are honored to support the men and women who serve our country, and take great pride in building the Navy's newest production aircraft here in Renton," said Mo Yahyavi, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Boeing's main industry team partners on the P-8 program are CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aviation. The group is currently contracted to construct three flight-test and two ground-test aircraft. The first test aircraft is due to be handed over to the U.S. Navy and make its first flight next year.

In all, the U.S. Navy wants to buy 108 P-8As to succeed its current aging force of P-3C aircraft by 2013.