Boeing upgrades anti-submarine warfare capabilities of P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft

The US Department of Defense has awarded over $50 million to Boeing for a modification to an order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement.

This modification exercises options to procure eight P-8A Increment three retrofit A-kits for the US Navy (USN) maritime patrol fleet, according to Naval Technology, a website covering navy-related news.

These kit upgrades will include associated special tooling in support of anti-submarine warfare capabilities upgrades for the US Navy.

Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (92.6 per cent); and St. Louis, Missouri (7.4 per cent), and is expected to be completed in July 2026.  

Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $50,815,986 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

“This contract modification emphasises the need for upgraded anti-submarine warfare capabilities. With tensions between the US and China at an all-time high, investment in their underwater warfare capabilities will no doubt grow as this tension manifests in the South China Sea region,” the report says.

The Boeing P-8A is intended to succeed Lockheed Martin’s P-3C Orion as the standard USN maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.