Boeing has awarded subcontracts to Lovitt Technologies Australia and Ferra Engineering, identified by Boeing’s Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC), to develop and deliver parts and assemblies for the P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
Under the $1.85m subcontracts, Lovitt will develop mission systems parts and assembly fabrications, while Ferra Engineering will deliver internal and external airframe parts and assemblies to support various Boeing P-8A flight and mission systems.
In 2011, Boeing was awarded two low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts by the US Navy for the supply of 13 P-8A aircraft, which also includes the provision of spare parts, logistics and training devices, as well as providing aircrew and maintenance training.
Armed with torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and other weapons, the P-8A long-range anti-submarine warfare aircraft has been designed to support shipping patrols and engage in electronic intelligence.
The surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft design is based on the next-generation 737 aeroplanes and can also be used to conduct broad-area, maritime and littoral operations for the navy.
Capable of operating with the broad area maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle, the P-8A aircraft features an upgraded APS-137D(V)5 maritime surveillance radar and signal intelligence SIGINT system.
The US Navy is currently using the first production aircraft for crews training at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, while the second aircraft was delivered recently.
Image: The US Navy’s Boeing-built P-8A Poseidon aircraft can conduct broad-area, maritime and littoral operations at sea. Photo: courtesy of the Boeing Company.
