Boeing Touts First Flight of P-8A Poseidon Headed to Germany

Artist’s rendering of Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft for Germany [Courtesy: Boeing]

Germany's first P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft has taken its maiden flight, Boeing announced.

The Boeing 737-based Poseidon is used for submarine hunting, as well as anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

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"The sub hunter is headed from Renton Municipal Airport [KRNT in Washington state] to Boeing Field (KBFI), following preflight and in-flight checks of the aircraft's flight controls, engines, brakes and more," Boeing said in a video of the aircraft taking off and landing. "This flight brings the aircraft another step closer to its delivery to the German navy's Naval Air Wing 3 later this year."

READ MORE: Boeing Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Maritime Aircraft to New Zealand

Last year, Boeing announced it had been awarded a $3.4 billion contract for the production of 17 P-8A aircraft, with three headed to the German navy and 14 to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Germany's order, which will replace its fleet of P-3 Orions, will increase its existing P-8A fleet to eight.

Boeing Germany maritime surveillance Military Aviation P-8 Poseidon

Kimberly JohnsonEditor

Kimberly is managing editor of FLYING Digital.