The U.S. Navy anticipates additional orders for a Boeing-built maritime patrol aircraft designed to carry anti-submarine and surface warfare missions, Reuters reported Sunday. Boeing received 117 orders for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft and is expecting to land 21 more from the service branch.
“I think there’ll likely be additional U.S. orders and additional [foreign military sales] quantities in the next six to nine months,” said Capt. Tony Rossi, program manager for the P-8 aircraft at the Navy.
Rosssi added that Boeing extended production efforts for the aircraft through 2023 to accommodate international partners. He noted that increased Russian submarine activity had an effect on the demand for the P-8A. Based on the Boeing 737-800, the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft can hold harpoon anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, electronic support measures and other weapons.
