Introduction
Boeing and Lufthansa Technik Defense have announced the signing of a multi-year contract to ensure comprehensive technical support services for the growing fleet of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft of the German Marineflieger.
The first of the eight Poseidon aircraft was transferred from the United States to Germany earlier this month.
The roles agreed upon by Boeing and Lufthansa Technik Defense include virtually all of the company’s global product segments of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), from aircraft maintenance and engine support services to component supply to operational management and technical training.
The decades-long experience gained in the maintenance of the civil Boeing 737 aircraft, from which the P-8A Poseidon was derived, allows Lufthansa Technik Defense to support the Marineflieger with a proficiency nearly unmatched for this type of aircraft.
This contract expands the military MRO portfolio of Lufthansa Technik Defense, including its first armed aircraft system, and further strengthens its long-standing trust and partnership with the Bundeswehr.
The Contract
Under the contract signed with Boeing, Lufthansa Technik will provide the Marineflieger with comprehensive aircraft maintenance services from the start of the German P-8A operations.
The company’s headquarters in Hamburg will become both a line maintenance (in-service inspection) and base maintenance (airframe and heavy systems check) reference site for the Poseidon.
With this agreement, Germany becomes the third P-8 customer of Lufthansa Technik Defense, following contracts awarded from New Zealand and India for the maintenance of their Poseidon aircraft in service with the RNZAF and the Indian Navy (P-8I version).
The Total Component Support
To ensure the reliable supply of spare parts, Lufthansa Technik will support German Navy’s P-8A operations through its Aircraft Component Services segment.
The company’s Total Component Support provides the Marineflieger access to the dedicated pool of commercial spare parts for Lufthansa Technik’s P-8.
Open circuit exchanges with Lufthansa Technik enables the Marineflieger to directly replace any irreparable aircraft component without waiting for repairs. This minimizes aircraft downtime related to spare parts and significantly increases the operational readiness of the German Poseidon fleet. Also, Lufthansa Technik will ensure a constant supply of consumables, such as bearings, fasteners or lubricants.
Engine Maintenance
To maximize both efficiency and lifespan of the P-8A’s CFM56-7B engines, particularly in their usually hostile maritime flight operational environment, Lufthansa Technik will also conduct a dedicated engine condition monitoring.
This activity will ensure that failures and defects are promptly detected in both Poseidon CFM56-7B engines, accurately identifying any form of performance degradation and thus, avoiding unnecessary power increments and unscheduled removals, helping to maintain the economical and sustainable flight operations of the German Poseidon fleet.
Marineflieger Personnel Training
Moreover, Lufthansa Technik and its subsidiary Lufthansa Technical Training began to support the qualification of the German Navy personnel for the P-8A well before the german Poseidon entered service.
In fact, more than 20 technicians have completed the multi-phase training course (practical and field) for the basic Boeing 737NG, and only a quick differentiation course is required to gain qualification for the military version.
Source: Lufthansa Technik AG
Photo credit: Bundeswehr/Christoph Kassette
