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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. D M Sudan, assistant chief of Naval
Staff (Air), Indian Navy, who was at the site
as part of a Navy team to monitor the aircraft
delivery programme. The Indian Navy is buying
eighgt plus four more of these highly sophisticated
aircraft.
"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.
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 Bangalore
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 Bangalore, which in partnership
with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) provides
modeling, analysis capability and defense experimentation
in support of the Indian Armed Forces.
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