The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $1,5 billion production contract for the next 18 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The contract includes eight aircraft for the US Navy, six aircraft for the Republic of Korea Navy and four aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
The Republic of Korea Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force acquired the aircraft through the foreign military sales process and will receive the same P-8A Poseidon variant designed and produced for the US Navy. The Royal New Zealand Air Force is expected to start receiving aircraft in 2022 and the Republic of Korea Navy is expected to start receiving aircraft in 2023.
The P-8 is a proven long-range multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft capable of wide-area, maritime and littoral operations. A military derivative of the Next-Generation Boeing 737 airliner, the P-8 combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the battlespace.
The P-8 is militarized with marine weapons, a modern open mission system architecture, and commercial accessibility . The aircraft is modified to include a bomb bay and weapons pylons. It has two weapon stations on each wing and can carry 129 sonobuoys. The aircraft is also equipped with an onboard refueling system.
With over 254.000 flight hours to date, the P-8A Poseidon and P-8I variants patrol the world conducting anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; humanitarian; and search and rescue missions.
Via-Boeing
