U.S. Navy receiving first upgraded P-8 aircraft from Jacksonville-based Boeing facility (Courtesy of Channel 4) — A little over one year after its opening, a multi-million dollar Boeing facility in Jacksonville is contributing to the U.S. Navy’s ability to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare while “redefining the standards of multi-mission patrol.”
On Tuesday, Boeing officials announced that the first upgraded Increment 3 Block 2 P-8A aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Navy after teams at Jacksonville’s Cecil Airport completed a myriad of modifications, including installing new antennas, sensors, and other components to “improve the aircraft’s computer processing and communication system.”
This modification provides enhanced warfare technologies and capabilities that improve the Navy’s wideband satellite communications and enhance mission crew workstation functionality, allowing air crews to search, detect, and target the most advanced submarines in the world,” a spokesperson for Boeing said.
Next for the Jacksonville-based maintenance and repair team is work to deliver an additional Increment 3 Block 2 aircraft to the Navy, as well as upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force’s 12 operational P-8s.
The announcement marks yet another development in the aviation space in Duval County, just one day after Otto Aviation, a Texas-based aviation startup company, announced its intentions to move its headquarters to Jacksonville, with hopes of building a production facility in the 904.
Otto Aviation formally announced its Jacksonville plans at the Paris Air Show on Monday with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of aerospace innovation,” DeSantis said. “Florida’s presence at the Paris Air Show is a testament to our state’s international partnerships and position as a top destination for cutting-edge aerospace companies, high-wage jobs, and technical industry.”
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