(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - September 29, 2011: Boeing's [NYSE: BA] first P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy completed its initial flight today, taking off from Renton Field at 12:02 p.m. Pacific time and landing two hours and 31 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle.
During the flight, Boeing test pilots performed airborne systems checks including engine accelerations and decelerations and autopilot flight modes, and took the P-8I to a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet prior to landing. In the coming weeks Boeing will begin mission systems installation and checkout work on the aircraft at a company facility near Boeing Field.
"The P-8I program is progressing well and we are looking forward to this potent platform joining the Indian Navy as part of its fleet," said Rear Adm. DM Sudan, assistant chief of Naval Staff (Air), Indian Navy.
"The P-8I will provide India with the necessary speed and reliability to satisfy the Indian Navy's maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements," said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing India president.
Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy. In order to efficiently design and build P-8 aircraft, the Boeing-led team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the company's Next-Generation 737 production system.
"Flying the first P-8 for an international customer is a key milestone for our entire team," said Leland Wight, Boeing P-8I program manager. "We have transitioned to P-8I production, and remain on track to deliver the first aircraft to the Indian Navy in 2013."
The P-8I is the first of eight long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft Boeing is building for India as part of a contract awarded in January 2009. An option for four additional P-8I aircraft was included in the original contract.
The aircraft features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.
In January 2008, Boeing proposed the P-8I, a customized export variant of the P-8A, for the Indian Navy. On 4 January 2009, India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Boeing for the supply of eight P-8Is at a total cost of US$2.1 billion. These aircraft would replace Indian Navy's aging Tupolev Tu-142M maritime surveillance turboprops. Each aircraft will cost about US$220 million. The deal makes India the first international customer of the P-8, and also marks Boeing's first military sale to India. On 4 October 2010, India's Defence Acquisition Council of the Ministry of Defence cleared the purchase of four additional P-8Is. The contract details for the additional aircraft was concluded in 2010, and approved by India in March 2011 bringing the total number of aircraft on order to 12.
The Data Link II communications technology for the P-8I was received by Boeing from Bharat Electronics Limited in April 2010. The communications system will enable exchange of tactical data and messages between Indian Navy aircraft, ships and shore establishments. Boeing will install the system during P-8I final assembly. The IFF, system from BEL was also handed over to Boeing for integration with P-8I in December 2010. Deliveries of P-8Is are to begin in 2013.
The P-8I is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.
Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined, has significantly expanded its footprint in India in both civil aviation and defense. India has selected the P-8I to fulfill its long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine requirements and the C-17 Globemaster III for its strategic and tactical airlift needs.
Boeing is partnering with India’s leading technology and manufacturing companies to build a supply chain out of India. The company has opened a Research and Technology center in Bengaluru to collaborate with India's technical talent for research in aero structures, materials and network systems. Boeing also has an Analysis & Experimentation Center (AEC) in Bangaluru, which in partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) provides modeling, analysis capability and defense experimentation in support of the Indian Armed Forces. Boeing India's corporate office is in New Delhi. For more information on Boeing India, visit www.boeing.co.in.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 64,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.
Contact:
Chick Ramey
Surveillance & Engagement Communications
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Office: +1 253-657-5636
Mobile: +1 206-851-4147
charles.b.ramey@boeing.com
Amrita Dhindsa
India Communications
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
+91 96546-06067
amrita.dhindsa@boeing.com
Swati Rangachari
Boeing India Communications
+91 99991-62000
swati.rangachari@boeing.com
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