Boeing begins final assembly on Navy's first P-8 Poseidon

The US Navy got one step closer today to replacing its fleet of nearly 50 year old P-3 Orions, when Boeing began final assembly today on the first P-8A Poseidon. The Navy intends on purchasing 108 of the new aircraft to start phasing out the Orions. The first flight of the Poseidon is slated for 2009, the same year they intend on delivering the first test aircraft to the Navy. In all 5 test aircraft will be built, 3 for flight testing, and 2 for ground testing. The P-8A, based off the 737-800 airframe, will dramatically boost the Navy's ability to conduct anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence, surveillence, and reconnaissance operations when they reach operational capability in 2013.

Photo: Boeing

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