The Boeing P-8A Poseidon T2 aircraft has successfully completed its first mission systems test flight at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

During the flight, carried out by Boeing and the US Navy, computing on all five operator workstations was carried out.

The test successfully demonstrated vital systems including mission planning, tactical data-link, communications, electronic support measures and flight test instrumentation.

The T2 test is part of the US Navy system development and demonstration contract awarded to Boeing in 2004.

The US Navy aims to acquire 117 P-8A aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.

Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

P-8A is a multimission maritime aircraft, specially designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.