India's first P-81 maritime recce aircraft reaches final assembly
Defence contractor Boeing Co has begun final assembly of the Indian Navy's first P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft this month at the company's Renton facility. The P-8I is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the US Navy.
It is based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane platform.
Assembly work has commenced following delivery of the plane's fuselage and Boeing workers have begun installing systems, wires and other small parts.
The P-8I's engines and wings will be installed later this summer.
The P-8I is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations.
This military derivative of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the future battle space.
The aircraft features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.
The plane has a range of 1,200+ nautical miles and will remain on station for 4 hours.
"The P-8I is a result of a close partnership between Boeing's commercial and defence units to deliver the latest and best maritime reconnaissance capability to the world," said Dinesh Keskar, president, Boeing India. "This agreement highlights the true commitment Boeing has toward India."
"India is our first international customer for the P-8 and we are committed to delivering this aircraft on time," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 programme manager. "The timely start of assembly and our in-line production process will allow us to meet our goal and incorporate significant efficiencies as we move forward on the programme."
Boeing was selected on the basis of a global tender by the government of India. The contract for procurement of eight P-8I aircraft, with an option for four additional aircraft, was signed on 1 January 2009.
Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined, has significantly expanded its footprint in India in both civil aviation and defence.
Boeing is also partnering with India's leading technology and manufacturing companies to build a supply chain out of India. It has also opened a research and technology centre in Bengaluru to collaborate with India's technical talent for research in aero structures, materials and network systems.
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