The
aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali, after a flight from Seattles
Boeing Field, and joined the four previously delivered P-8Is. The
P-8I program is progressing on schedule, and the aircraft are providing the capabilities
to meet our maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements,
said Vice Admiral RK Pattanaik, India Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. He added that
the partnership between Boeing and India has been very professional to date. This
is another important milestone for the program, and we look forward to continuing
our great relationship with India, said Dennis Swanson, BDS vice president
in India. Well deliver one more P-8I before the end of the year, followed
by two in 2015. Boeing is building Indias aircraft through a
contract awarded in 2009. Based on the companys Next-Generation 737 commercial
airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing
builds for the U.S. Navy. We appreciate that senior representatives
of the Indian Navy were with us in Seattle to participate in delivery activities
and watch the plane take off for Rajali, said Mark Jordan, Boeing P-8 International
program manager. Its a great accomplishment for the entire team, and
were hard at work assembling and testing the next P-8I in line for delivery. The
P-8I incorporates not only India-unique design features, but also Indian-built
sub-systems that are tailored to meet the countrys maritime patrol requirements.
The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies
and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. In order
to efficiently design and build the P-8I and the P-8A, the Boeing-led team is
using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the companys
Next-Generation 737 production system. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led
industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit
AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation. Boeing has been active in India
for 70 years with its commercial airplanes providing the mainstay of Indias
civil aviation sector. More recently its military aircraft have started to play
an important role in the modernization and mission-readiness of Indias defense
forces. Boeing is focused on delivering value to its Indian customers with its
advanced technologies and performance driven aircraft underscored by life-cycle
support services. Boeing is also committed to creating sustainable value in the
Indian aerospace sector - developing local suppliers, pursuing business partnerships
and shaping research and technical collaborations with Indian companies and institutions,
a company statement Sep 10. |