P-8A Poseidon production airplane makes first flight

Posted by John McHaleRENTON, Wash., 21 July 2011. Boeing's [NYSE: BA] P-8A Poseidon production aircraft made its first flight. The P-8A is one of six low-rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft being built by Boeing for the U.S. Navy.The flight marked LRIP-1's final assembly completion in the Boeing's Renton, Wash., factory and transition to mission system installation and checkout in Seattle. Boeing officials will deliver LRIP-1 to the Navy next year in preparation for initial operational capability, which is scheduled for 2013.Navy officials plan to purchase 117 of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.The Boeing-led P8 team is using an in-line production process that draws on the company's Next-Generation 737 production system. Every aircraft modification unique to the P-8A is made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.This is the first P-8A to include a new CFM56-7BE engine configuration, which is now standard on all delivered Next-Generation 737s. The configuration includes high- and low-pressure turbine modifications. Boeing officials say that this process combined with drag reduction improvements will result in lower fuel consumption and maintenance cost savings.The P-8 Poseidon team led by Boeing includes CFM International, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Spirit AeroSystems, and GE Aviation.