Aircraft

Boeing opens P-8A Poseidon production facility

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The P-8A program's fourth flight-test aircraft, T4, is the first to enter the new production facility (Image: Boeing photo)
The P-8A program's fourth flight-test aircraft, T4, is the first to enter the new production facility (Image: Boeing photo)

Boeing has opened a new aircraft production facility near Boeing Field in Seattle where mission systems will be installed and tests will be carried out on Boeing’s new P-8. The aircraft, which is based on Boeing’s Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, is intended for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles. The P-8 aircraft will be assembled in Renton, Washington and, following final assembly, will make a short flight to the new facility to be given its finishing touches.

The facility will initially handle the completion work for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the U.S. Navy and the P-8I aircraft for the Indian navy, and will also be used to finish aircraft for future P-8 customers. The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8A aircraft which will replace its existing P-3 fleet, with initial operational capability scheduled for 2013. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the first P-8I to the Indian navy by January 2013, with the remaining seven aircraft due by 2015.

Boeing says it is using a proven in-line production process to efficiently design and build the aircraft, with all aircraft modifications unique to the P-8 made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.

“The new factory is a great fit as Boeing transitions to building production aircraft, in part because it allows us to incorporate a leaner workflow," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager.

As part of the U.S. Navy System Development and Demonstration contract Boeing received in 2004, the team is building and testing six flight-test and two ground-test aircraft. The first three flight-test aircraft are currently completing testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

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3 comments
Realtrucker56
Amazing! The British Government are in the process of scrappinng the latest generation of billion dollar Nimrod planes before they have even been commissioned, and the Americans are in the process of launching their equivelant! Politics really suck sometimes
Smokey_Bear
Realtrucker56 - I never understood why you guys didn\'t just use a newer aircraft....instead of just refurbishing and modifying the ancient Comet...
Realtrucker56
Howe, Why change something that works? The plane itsellf doesnt need to be changed as it does the job perfectly. Its the technology iinside that is evolving as time goes on............and costing the money.