AMITYVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. aerospace company Exelis announced it wrapped up talks with Boeing to provide an airborne launch system for the Navy's P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
The P-8A is a modified Boeing 737 designed for what that the Navy says is a premier anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft. It was first introduced to service last year.
Exelis said it secured two production contracts from Boeing to supply a so-called sonobuoy pneumatic launch system for the P8-A Poseidon.
Pete Martin, manager of defense systems for Exelis, said his company's system would use compressed air for payload deployment, versus an "electro-explosive" release system for conventional payload launch systems.
The U.S. Navy said it arms the Poseidon with a variety of torpedoes, cruise missiles, bombs and mines.
Exelis said Monday it would begin delivery of its pneumatic launchers in October 2014. Most of the work would be carried out at its facilities in Amityville, N.Y.
It offered no financial terms for the Boeing contracts.
