Boeing books $1.6B deal for initial production of P-8A Poseidon

Published 2:02 pm Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Boeing Co. has received a $1.6 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for the initial production of P-8A Poseidon aircraft, the company said Tuesday.

The contract is for six P-8A aircraft, spares, logistics and training devices. The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

“Providing these production aircraft to the Navy fleet on schedule is our No. 1 goal,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. “This is an exciting day for Boeing and the Navy and a testament to the P-8 team’s hard work and determination.”

Boeing will begin final assembly of the first low-rate initial production P-8A aircraft this summer at its facility in Renton.