The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon production aircraft completed its first flight, taking off from Renton Field and landing three hours later at Boeing Field in Seattle. The P-8A is the first of six low-rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft Boeing is building for the US Navy as part of a US$1.6 billion contract awarded in January.
The successful flight marked LRIP-1’s completion of final assembly in the company’s Renton factory and transition to mission system installation and checkout in Seattle. Boeing will deliver LRIP-1 to the US Navy next year in preparation for initial operational capability, which is planned for 2013.
“This is the first P-8 that will go directly to the fleet in Jacksonville, Florida, so the aircraft’s first flight is an important milestone for the Boeing team and our Navy customer,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. “We’re on plan to get LRIP-1 to the Navy in 2012.”

 Source : Aerospace Testing International