RAAF's first Poseidon takes to the skies

Australia's first new Boeing Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has flown for the first time in the US.

The aircraft, a version of the widely used Boeing 737 airliner, flew the short distance from Renton Airfield to Boeing Field where missions systems will be installed ahead of delivery to Australia later this year.

This was the first of 15 Poseidons which will replace the RAAF's ageing Orion aircraft in a project worth $5.4 billion.