Boeing awarded $1.6 billion contract to build Navy aircraft

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Boeing awarded $1.6 billion contract to build Navy aircraft
By Molly McMillin | Wichita Eagle
Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Boeing has received a $1.6 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for initial low-rate production of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

The Navy plans to buy 117 of the aircraft, which is a derivative of Boeing's 737-800 single-aisle commercial aircraft.

The plane is an anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and will replace the Navy's P-3 fleet.

Initial operational capacity is planned for 2013.

Spirit AeroSystems produces the plane's fuselage, pylons and thrust reverser.