Boeing P-8 Poseidon Multimission Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer | Last Updated: 5/24/2013

The Boeing P-8 Poseiden is expected to replace the USN P-3 Orion and is currently on order.

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The Boeing P-8 Poseidon Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) is currently in development and on order for the United States Navy and Indian Navy, representing a direct successor for the venerable Lockheed P-3 Orion series of anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare (ASW) aircraft. The P-8 is being developed as a highly versatile airframe capable of fulfilling the aforementioned roles as well as that of maritime reconnaissance and ELINT (ELectronic INTelligence). Deliveries of initial airframes began in 2012 and, when full squadron strength is achieved, will drastically update naval surface operations for the USN. Development is also including integration with the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

The P-8 is based on the airframe of the Boeing commercial 737-800 series. The modified navalized version is powered by 2 x CFM International CFM56-7B engines fitted in underwing nacelles with each delivering about 27,000lbf thrust. The aircraft is crewed by two pilots and an additional seven inflight specialists manning the various specialized onboard systems. Externally, the P-8 retains the same basic form of the commercial variant while it does introduce inflight refueling capabilities, a search radar mounted in the nose, automated rotary launchers and a weapons bay. MAD will be held at the extreme rear of the fuselage along with an INMARSAT antenna system integrated into the extreme tip of the vertical tail fin.

In the anti-ship role, the P-8 will be outfitted with depth charges, mines, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. Two hardpoints are assigned to each wing outboard of the engine installations. Along with this projected weaponry suite, the P-8 will also feature droppable sonobuoys and a Raytheon brand APY-10 surface search radar.

Foreign interest in the product has been shown by India, Australia, Canada and Italy having had operational experience with the aging P-3 Orion. India committed to the program with its procurement of eight Poseidon aircraft from Boeing (under the designation of "P-8I") that may be further increased to as many as 30 aircraft in time. The first P-8I was delivered on May 15th, 2013. The American Navy is intent on purchasing 117 P-8 aircraft. Full strength is expected to be reached in December of 2013 with these aircraft beginning operations from Okinawa in the Pacific. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Multimission Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft

Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Boeing Integrated Defense Systems - USA
Initial Year of Service: 2013
Production: 7

Focus Model: Boeing P-8A Poseidon
Crew: 2 + 7

Length: 129.49ft (39.47m)
Width: 123.49ft (37.64m)
Height: 42.09ft (12.83m)
Weight (Empty): 138,296lbs (62,730kg)
Weight (MTOW): 189,201lbs (85,820kg)

Powerplant: 2 x CFM International CFM56-7B engines developing 27,000lbs of thrust each.

Maximum Speed: 490mph (789kmh; 426kts)
Maximum Range: 1,381miles (2,222km)
Service Ceiling: 41,010ft (12,500m; 7.8miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)

Hardpoints: 4
Armament Suite:
Mission-specific, largely for the anti-ship, anti-submarine maritime patrol role. Will include torpedoes, naval mines, depth charges and air-to-surface/anti-ship missiles. SLAM-ER stand-off cruise missile support also noted.

Variants:
Boeing 737-800 - Civilian Airframe on which the P-8 is being developed from.

P-8 "Poseidon" - Base Series Designation

P-8A - Initial Production Model Series Designation; US Navy.

P-8I "Neptune" - Export derivative for Indian Navy.

P-8 AGS - Proposed Airborne Ground Surveillance variant.

Operators:
India; United States

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