U.S. Navy receives 14th P-8A Poseidon from Boeing

SEATTLE, July 3 (UPI) -- Boeing reports it has delivered the 14th P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft to the U.S. Navy, with seven more in the delivery pipeline for later this year.

The P-8A Poseidon will be operated from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., providing anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

"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 U.S. Navy's first P-8A squadron was deployed to Japan late last year.

The Poseidon aircraft is based on Boeing's 737-800 commercial aircraft. It has a cruise speed of over 400 knots, a range of 1,200 nautical miles and can remain on-station for four hours in an anti-submarine role.

In addition to its electronics for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the aircraft can carry torpedoes, mines and a variety of missiles.

"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."