LRP order for P-8A Poseidon, Indian Navy orders four more
05 Feb 2011
The US Navy has awarded a $1.6 billion contract to Boeing for low rate initial production (LRIP) of the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Boeing also received additional orders for four more of these aircraft from the Indian Navy last year October, over and above the eight already on order.
The US Navy has an order for 117 of these aircraft.
"In 2004, the US Navy and the Boeing Company made a commitment to deliver the next generation maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to support a 2013 Initial Operational Capability (IOC)," said Captain Mike Moran, PMA 290 Programme Manager. "This contract and these aircraft keep that commitment on track."
The P-8A first flew on April 25, 2009. The Indian Navy aircraft are designated P-8I.
The US Navy's 117 aircraft will replace its ageing Lockheed P-3 Orion fleet. IOC is planned for 2013.
Low rate initial production (LRIP) in military weapon projects/programmes designate the phase of initial, small-quantity production of a weapons systems, where the prospective first buyer and operator get to thoroughly test the weapons system over some protracted amount of time-in order to gain a reasonable degree of confidence as to whether the system actually performs to the agreed-upon requirements before contracts for mass production are signed.