Boeing has delivered the first production P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft to the US Navy.
The aircraft is the first of 13 scheduled to be delivered under a US$1.6 billion low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract awarded in 2011. The US Navy expects to eventually order 117 P-8s to replace its P-3C Orions, with IOC for the first set of aircraft expected by next year.
Australia expects to order up to 10 of the 737-800 based planes under phase 2B of Project Air 7000. India has also ordered eight similar P-8Is.
Following delivery, US Navy pilots flew the first P-8A to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida where it will be used for aircrew training.
