Lankan Ranger
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2009
- Messages
- 12,550
- Reaction score
- 0
Boeing P-8A approved to launch production
The Boeing P-8A programme has received approval to begin ramping up production shortly before the anti-submarine warfare aircraft enters the last two years of development and flight test.
The Defense Acquisition Board (DAB), which oversees all major acquisitions, verbally approved the P-8A to enter the first year of low rate initial production (LRIP), according to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). "We expect the official written memo to be signed by [the office of secretary of defense] within three to four weeks," NAVAIR says.
The memo will clarify how many aircraft will be built during the LRIP phase, NAVAIR adds.
Clearing the LRIP approval hurdle marks the third of four major milestones for any US military acquisition. The next step for the P-8A will be entering full-rate production.
NAVAIR plans to buy a total of 117 P-8A Poseidons through Fiscal 2018 as one-half of the plan to replace about 225 Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions. The navy also plans to buy the Northrop Grumman RQ-4N broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS), an unmanned system that will serve as an adjunct to the P-8A.
The P-8A is a military version of Boeing's 737-800 airliner. Changes include the wings from the -900ER model and the addition of a weapons bay as well as sensors and launchers for sonobuoys.
Boeing has delivered the first two flight test prototypes for the P-8A programme to NAS Patuxent River in Maryland. The third flight test aircraft will arrive "shortly". Meanwhile, the fourth flight test aircraft is "moving through the factory" in Renton, Washington, Boeing says.
Boeing P-8A approved to launch production
The Boeing P-8A programme has received approval to begin ramping up production shortly before the anti-submarine warfare aircraft enters the last two years of development and flight test.
The Defense Acquisition Board (DAB), which oversees all major acquisitions, verbally approved the P-8A to enter the first year of low rate initial production (LRIP), according to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). "We expect the official written memo to be signed by [the office of secretary of defense] within three to four weeks," NAVAIR says.
The memo will clarify how many aircraft will be built during the LRIP phase, NAVAIR adds.
Clearing the LRIP approval hurdle marks the third of four major milestones for any US military acquisition. The next step for the P-8A will be entering full-rate production.
NAVAIR plans to buy a total of 117 P-8A Poseidons through Fiscal 2018 as one-half of the plan to replace about 225 Lockheed Martin P-3C Orions. The navy also plans to buy the Northrop Grumman RQ-4N broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS), an unmanned system that will serve as an adjunct to the P-8A.
The P-8A is a military version of Boeing's 737-800 airliner. Changes include the wings from the -900ER model and the addition of a weapons bay as well as sensors and launchers for sonobuoys.
Boeing has delivered the first two flight test prototypes for the P-8A programme to NAS Patuxent River in Maryland. The third flight test aircraft will arrive "shortly". Meanwhile, the fourth flight test aircraft is "moving through the factory" in Renton, Washington, Boeing says.
Boeing P-8A approved to launch production
