Navy orders production of P-8A aircraft

PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Boeing will begin low-rate initial production of P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft in Washington state under a U.S. Navy contract.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md., said six aircraft will be manufactured under the $1.6 billion award, which includes spares, logistics and training devices.

"In 2004, the U.S. Navy and the Boeing Co. made a commitment to deliver the next-generation maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to support a 2013 Initial Operational Capability," said Capt. Mike Moran, PMA 290 Program Manager. "This contract and these aircraft keep that commitment on track."

Three of the six flight test aircraft, built as part of the System Development and Demonstration contract awarded to Boeing in 2004, are in various stages of testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

The Integrated Test Team has conducted sonobuoy releases and countermeasures deployments.

One of two static test planes recently completed full-scale testing on the P-8A airframe. The first static test aircraft underwent 154 tests with no failure of the primary structure. The second aircraft will begin fatigue testing this year.

The Navy plans to purchase 117 production P-8A aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.

Low-rate production of the aircraft is expected to begin this summer at its facility in Renton, Wash.