![P-8A fligh test aircraft T1](http://thewofa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P64934-02_Poseidon-web-300x181.jpg)
Boeing has received the third phase of low-rate initial production orders from the US Navy for the P-8A Poseidon.
The US$1.9bn contract for 11 aircraft will take the total USN fleet to 24. Boeing has so far delivered three production P-8A aircraft, built alongside the company’s commercial 737-800 aircraft. The USN is slated to purchase 117 aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.
The RAAF is planning to replace the AP-3C Orion maritime patrol fleet with the P-8A platform under AIR 7000 Phase 2B, although the project was delayed by one year in the 2012-13 budget. Second-pass approval is now expected in 2014.