A P-8A Poseidon takes off from the U.S. Navy's facility at Atsugi, Japan, presumably on a test mission. This is the same aircraft that took part in exercises off the U.S. east coast last February. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Justin Smelley)

One of the U.S. Navy’s new P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is flying out of Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.

The aircraft is still in the development phase, with several aircraft flying tests out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River,  Maryland.  Boeing, which builds the planes based on a modified 737-800 design, received a $1.9 billion contract Sept. 21 for 11 more low-rate initial production aircraft. The new order makes a total of 24 Poseidons delivered or under contract. The Navy plans to buy a total of 117 P-8As.

P-8A 956 touches down at Atsugi on Sept. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Justin Smelley)

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Christopher P. Cavas

If it's on, over, under or around the water, I write about it. Ships and aircraft, units, tactics, leadership, strategies, acquisition, politics, industry. In the USA and around the world.

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Latest posts by Christopher P. Cavas (see all)

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