An order worth $2.4 billion from the U.S. Navy for more of Boeing’s P-8A airplanes, will kick the program into full production, according to a news release from the company.
The Navy has ordered 16 additional P-8As, which will take its total fleet to 53 planes. The aircraft are used for maritime reconnaissance and patrol, which includes anti-submarine warfare.
The P-8A is based on Boeing’s 737 and produced in Renton.
So far, Boeing has delivered 13 of the airplanes to the Navy, which deployed its first patrol squadron to Kadena, Japan, last December.
In all, the Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8As to replace its P-3 fleet.
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