The US Navy’s P-8A new submarine hunting aircraft program has received approval to begin low rate production.
The P-8A program reached Milestone C on 11 August, after a comprehensive review and subsequent approval by the Defense Acquisition Board.
This approval brings the Poseidon one step closer to initial operating capability (IOC) for the fleet in 2013.
NAS Jacksonville will host the first operational P-8A squadron.
“The team has worked extremely hard to reach this major acquisition milestone,” PMA-290 Program Manager Capt. Mike Moran said.
“The airplane is performing very well in testing which should result in an on-time and on-budget delivery to the warfighters.”
The P-8A will replace the P-3C that has served the Navy since the 1960s as the primary aircraft for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
Up to 117 P-8As are expected to be procured by the US Navy for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions to replace its P-3 fleet.
IOC is planned for 2013.
Australia has committed to buy eight Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of an investment of AU$5 billion.
These aircraft will maintain the capability currently provided by the AP-3C Orion aircraft, when that aircraft is retired in 2018 after 30 years of RAAF service.
Until then, Defence will cooperate with the US Navy to develop upgrades to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which has recently entered the early flight testing.
To fit Australian specific requirements into the development process, the collaboration focussed on ‘Spiral One’ update of the aircraft.
This phase represents the first batch of improvements planned through the life of the aircraft.
The cooperation will also gain Australia access and influence into the P-8A improvements and support program.