Boeing has received its latest U.S. Navy order for 20 P-8A Poseidon aircraft in a $2.5 billion contract, with four of the jets going to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The contract -- Lot 7 of Boeing’s current P-8A program -- includes the second lot of four Poseidons going to the RAAF after last year’s delivery from the Lot 6 contract.
The Poseidon acts as an effective anti-submarine, anti-surface and shipping-interdiction aircraft, equipped with torpedoes, depth charges and advanced signal intelligence equipment.
“We continue to hear feedback from our Navy customer about the incredible capabilities of the P-8A,” James Dodd, Boeing's vice president and program manager of P-8 Programs, said. “The deployed squadrons tell us it’s exceeding expectations – we’re looking forward to providing even more capability to the fleet and to Australia.”
The full program calls for construction of 78 Poseidons for the Navy on top of the eight for the Australian fleet. So far, the aerospace and defense contracting giant has delivered 33 of those aircraft.
The Poseidon is based on the company’s successful 737-800 commercial aircraft, but is equipped with the world’s most advanced anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.
Alerts Sign-up