Boeing delivered all P-8As to US Navy

This is another first for the Atlas! On January 12, 2015, one of the air force’s A400M began its first maintenance visit at the Atelier Industriel de l’Aéronautique (aviation workshop, AIA) at Clermont-Ferrand.

This operation is covered by a maintenance contract that includes visits by a dozen aircraft until the end of 2017. For the next 18 months, AIA will benefit from the support of the manufacturer, Airbus, on its premises, before it attains full autonomy on the aircraft.

The Atlas operation at AIA ClermontFerrand is a strong challenge for the facility. This new transport aircraft opens up new prospects, such as the repair of composite components which constitute more than 30 per cent of the weight of the aircraft, or the replacement of paper documentation by

Boeing last month delivered the eighth P-8A Poseidon, completing all planned deliveries to the US Navy for the year on time and on cost. That airplane, the 21st overall for the programme, flew from Seattle to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida on January 8. It joined other P-8As being used to train Navy crews.

“Our US Navy and P-8 industry team continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class programme,” said Jimmy Dodd, Boeing Mobility, Surveillance and Engagement Vice President and Program Manager. “We’re delivering an aircraft that is providing superior capabilities to the men and women in uniform.”

The ‘Mad Foxes’ of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 are conducting operational missions during the second overseas deployment of a P-8A Poseidon squadron. Last summer the VP-16 ‘War Eagles’ completed 600 sorties and 3,500 flight hours on the P-8A’s maiden deployment.

The Navy plans to purchase the versatile multi-mission aircraft to replace its P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As. Boeing’s industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.