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| The P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Photo: Boeing |
[Avionics Today 01-12-2014] Boeing has delivered the eighth P-8A Poseidon of 2014, completing all planned deliveries to the U.S. Navy for the year on time and on cost. The last airplane flew from Seattle to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida on Jan. 8, where it joined other P-8As being used to train Navy crews.
Based on the Boeing next-generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides the Navy anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Navy is purchasing the multi-mission aircraft to replace its aging P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As.
“We put the Poseidon to the test,” Cmdr. Daniel Papp, VP-16 squadron commanding officer said of the first deployment. “We tested the aircraft, our aircrew, and the logistics tails.”