The fifth production P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has been delivered to the US Navy.
A further three Poseidons are undergoing mission systems installation and pre-delivery tests in Seattle with two more in final assembly.
“As we transition to the P-8A and prepare for Initial Operational Capability in 2013, the US Navy is successfully flying the first production planes at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida,” said Capt Aaron Rondeau, US Navy P-8A Integrated Product Team lead.
The US Navy has a requirement for 117 P-8s, while the RAAF is expected to acquire the type as a partial replacement for its AP-3C Orions.
