Boeing delivers 14th P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft to US Navy

The US Navy has taken delivery of 14th P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Boeing, further bolstering its maritime patrol capabilities.

Being the first of eight deliveries scheduled for 2014 of the overall order for 53, the P-8A has been based with its squadron at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, with seven more to be delivered by the end of the year.

US Navy P-8A deputy programme manager commander Tony Rossi said that P-8A aircraft has been put through their paces out in the field and appreciate all the reliability, capabilities and improvements the Poseidon brings.

"The next squadron is trained, ready to go and will begin conducting missions in the near future," Rossi added.

Intended to replace the navy’s ageing P-3 Orion fleet, the P-8A will offer anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The US navy deployed the first P-8A squadron to Kadena, Japan, in December, which has been carrying out operational missions since then, with the second squadron to be deployed this summer.

Based on Boeing’s next generation 737-800 commercial aircraft, the P-8A are also capable of offering enhanced payload capacity, significant growth potential, unprecedented flexibility and interoperability, and advanced mission systems, software and communications.

Boeing Mobility, Surveillance & Engagement vice president and program manager Rick Heerdt said that the company team appreciates the navy’s urgency to induct additional P-8As into the fleet.

"The positive feedback we’ve received about the aircraft currently in service is a great motivator," Heerdt said.

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