Boeing delivered the sixth production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the US Navy recently after successfully completing the first group of low-rate initial production aircraft that are dramatically improving the service’s maritime patrol capabilities.

The delivery is the final aircraft from a contract awarded in January 2011. Boeing is on schedule to build 24 P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of contracts awarded in 2011 and 2012.

“The P-8 team continues to incorporate efficiencies into our production as we ramp up deliveries in 2013,” said Rick Heerdt, Boeing Vice President and P-8 Programme Manager. “We’ve reduced flow times and costs, which ultimately benefits our US Navy customer.”

The US Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8As, which are based on the next-generation Boeing 737-800 platform. It is a versatile multi-mission aircraft that provides broad long-range maritime patrol capabilities – anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It is replacing the US Navy’s P-3 fleet.

The next three Poseidon aircraft are undergoing mission systems installation and checkout in Seattle, and two more are in final assembly in Renton, Washington.