9 November 2005

During the five-day session, Navy representatives reviewed the P-8A's system architecture and initial design to ensure the Boeing-led industry team is on target to meet program performance requirements and can proceed to detailed design. While the integrated team now must complete nine action items before the PDR can be considered officially "closed" or complete, review participants were extremely pleased with the results of the technical assessment.

Rear Admiral Jeff Wieringa, NAVAIR's assistant commander for research and engineering and chairman of the review board, said the P-8A program was "the best major weapons system PDR we have ever reviewed."

"The entire P-8A team was well-prepared for the PDR and has worked extremely hard to ensure we're on cost, on schedule and meeting or exceeding our technical requirements, said Tony Parasida, Boeing vice president for maritime systems. "The positive feedback we've received to date is confirmation that we're headed in the right direction."

Navy Commander Mike Moran, leader of the P-8A MMA department in NAVAIR's Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program Office, said "Naval aviation needs this platform, and PDR is a critical time for the team to ensure we remain on our stated course to deliver this transformational aircraft to the warfighter. We are definitely on track to deliver this full-spectrum anti-submarine warfare capability on time and on budget."

The P-8A, a 737-800 aircraft, is the Navy's replacement platform for the P-3C. Its primary mission is to provide persistent anti-submarine warfare. In addition, the P-8A MMA will contribute to anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warfighting capabilities, as defined in the Sea Shield and FORCEnet elements of the Navy's Sea Power 21 program.

The Boeing-led team, which includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Smiths Aerospace, will produce five test aircraft during the program's System Development and Demonstration phase. Plans call for up to 108 aircraft to be purchased by the Navy to replace its aging fleet of P-3 aircraft.

One of the P-8A program's next major milestones will be a Critical Design Review, scheduled for 2007.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

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Contacts: Chick Ramey (206) 662-0949, The Boeing Company charles.b.ramey@boeing.com

Ellen LeMond (314) 777-0669, The Boeing Company ellen.j.lemond@boeing.com