Maritime Patrol Fleet Nears Half-Million Flight Hours

Boeing has delivered the 150th operational P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.

The airframe will be operated by the US Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One, and will be based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. Despite this special user, Boeing says the record-setting figure of 150 does not include the initial six test aircraft provided to the US Navy during the early years of the programme.

The P-8 fleet breaks down as: 112 with the USN; 12 each operated by Australia and India; nine in the UK; and five with Norway. The company says the aircraft have delivered “more than 450,000 mishap-free flight hours.”

“There are now 150 P-8s around the world delivering confidence and an unmatched capability to our global customers,” commented Boeing’s P-8 VP and Program Manager, Stu Voboril. “Our focus has been, and will be, on delivering the world’s best maritime patrol aircraft.“