Boeing unveils Navy patrol jet in ceremony

RENTON, Wash. – Boeing Co. and the Navy have rolled out the new P-8A Poseidon patrol plane.

The plane, a military version of Boeing’s 737-800 passenger jet, will be used for a variety of functions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and patrol.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire joined Navy officials and several hundred Boeing workers and executives for the ceremony Thursday at Boeing’s Renton plant.

The Navy is buying 117 Poseidons to replace aging P-3 Orion turboprops. Flight tests are to start later this year, with the first jets in service in 2013.

The Navy plans to base Poseidon squadrons at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington, in Jacksonville, Fla., and in Hawaii.