According to a PR published by Boeing on July 5, 2022, the US firm, ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH and Lufthansa Technik signed a three-party agreement that reinforces joint efforts to support Germany’s new P-8A Poseidon fleet.
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Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (Picture source: 24tnews)
With the new agreement, Boeing, ESG, and Lufthansa Technik will be the team responsible for executing the P-8A sustainment program in Germany.
The new agreement builds on two separate Memoranda of Understanding that were signed separately with ESG and Lufthansa Technik in 2021 and now involves all three parties, outlining additional detail regarding each company’s role in the German P-8A program.
With the formalization of this new industry partnership, Boeing, ESG and Lufthansa Technik will provide support to the German customer in all areas of aircraft sustainment and training that will bring the highest operational availability to the German Navy’s P-8A fleet.
First deliveries to Germany are slated to take place in 2024 and Boeing estimates that the P-8A program will employ up to 250 people in Germany.
About P-8A Poseidon aircraft
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, modified from the 737-800ERX. It was developed for the United States Navy (USN).
The P-8 operates in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. It is armed with torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons, can drop and monitor sonobuoys, and can operate in conjunction with other assets, including the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The P-8 is operated by the United States Navy, the Indian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. It has also been ordered by the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Republic of Korea Navy, and the German Navy.
The P-8 is a militarized version of the 737-800ERX, a 737-800 with 737-900-based wings. The fuselage is similar to but longer than, the 737-700-based C-40 Clipper transport aircraft in service with the USN. The P-8 has a strengthened fuselage for low-altitude operations and raked wingtips similar to those fitted to the Boeing 767-400ER, instead of the blended winglets available on 737NG variants.
