| P6M SeaMaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Patrol flying boat |
| Manufacturer | Glenn L. Martin Company |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 12 |
| History | |
| First flight | 14 July 1955 |
The Martin P6M SeaMaster was an experimental strategic bomber flying boat built by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the United States Navy that almost entered service; production aircraft were built and Navy crews were undergoing operational training, with service entry expected in about six months, when the program was cancelled on 21 August 1959. Envisioned as a strategic nuclear weapon delivery system for the Navy, the SeaMaster was eclipsed by the Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Due to the political situation at the Pentagon and weapon system choices made amid budgetary constraints, the Navy promoted the P6M primarily as a high speed minelayer.[1]
- ^ Piet & Raithel 2001, p. 148