×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

Boeing P-8 Poseidon


Multi-mission Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft


United States | 2013



"The United States Navy has adopted the Boeing P-8 Poseidon to replace its aged fleet of Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft in the ASW role."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft.
2 x CFM International CFM56-7B engines developing 27,000lb of thrust each.
Propulsion
490 mph
789 kph | 426 kts
Max Speed
41,010 ft
12,500 m | 8 miles
Service Ceiling
1,381 miles
2,222 km | 1,200 nm
Operational Range
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft.
9
(MANNED)
Crew
129.5 ft
39.47 m
O/A Length
123.5 ft
(37.64 m)
O/A Width
42.1 ft
(12.83 m)
O/A Height
138,296 lb
(62,730 kg)
Empty Weight
189,201 lb
(85,820 kg)
MTOW
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft .
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
Notable series variants as part of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon family line.
P-8 "Poseidon" - Base Series Designation.
Boeing 737-800 - Civilian Airframe on which the P-8 is being developed from.
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.
MRA Mk.1 - British Royal Air Force designation.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/06/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Boeing P-8 "Poseidon" is a militarized form of the Boeing Model 737-800 NG ("Next Generation") airframe and has been developed specifically for the maritime patrol (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR)) and Anti-Submarine Warfare/Anti-Surface Warfare (ASW) roles. The P-8 was adopted by the United States Navy (USN) as a replacement for the aging line of prop-powered, Lockheed L-88 "Electra"-based P-3C "Orions" in steady service since the 1960s. The initial mark is the P-8A serving Naval Air Systems Command (NASC) and aircraft were contracted through Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). The P-8 achieved Initial Operational Capabilities (IOC) in November of 2013 while Full Operational Capabilities (FOC) are expected during 2018.

Outwardly, the P-8 retains the form of the original Boeing 737-800 line as it sports a well-contoured, tubular fuselage with low-mounted, swept-back monoplane wings, dihedral tailplanes and a single vertical tail fin. Two turbofan engines are slung under each wing. Various antenna and communication protrusions dot the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the fuselage. The cockpit is held at the extreme forward end of the fuselage aft of a short nose cone housing radar. While many physical facets of the P-8 are equal to that of the commercial Boeing 737, the P-8 is designed with in-flight refueling capabilities for increased loiter times.

The P-8 is outfitted with 2 x CFM International 56-7B series turbofan engines developing 27,300lbs of thrust each. Performance specifications includes an airspeed of 565 miles per hour, a service ceiling up to 41,000 feet and a range of 1,200 nautical miles with the ability to remain some four hours on station. The standard operating crew is nine and includes two pilots and up to seven mission specialists. Dimensions include a running length of 130 feet, a wingspan of 124 feet and a height of 42 feet.

Alongside the P-8's impressive electronics kit, the aircraft is also cleared for military ordnance in the form of torpedoes, cruise missiles, bombs and naval mines through use of internally-held rotary launchers via the weapons bay (five stations). Additionally, the P-8 will be able to deploy sonobuoys as needed and there are also six external weapon stations for munitions and mission pods. As such, the aircraft is the very definition of a full-service, "multi-mission" performer, capable of providing its own scanning, tracking, identification and engagement capabilities in one complete battlefield package. Integration for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has also been added to further increase the aircraft's tactical value. A Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) is installed in the aft portion of the fuselage with an INMARSAT antenna system integrated into the extreme tip of the vertical tail fin. The onboard surface search radar is a Raytheon APY-10 series installation.

As of May 2014, the United States Navy has 13 P-8 aircraft in inventory. The line is in Full Rate Production (FRP) with the intended inventory total of 117 aircraft. The Indian Navy has placed an order for eight aircraft (with a total of 30 possible) as the P-8I "Neptune" while the Australian Navy has officially committed to the product. The initial Indian model arrived on May 15th, 2013. Other foreign interest has been shown by Canada, Italy and Norway.

United States Navy P-8 aircraft have been used in the recent extensive over-sea searches for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

December 2015 - It was announced that the British will employ a fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role once filled by since-retired Nimrod AEW3 and MRA4 aircraft. Nine P-8As are on order.

July 2016 - At Farnborough 2016, the UK MoD officially committed to the purchase of nine Boeing P-8 aircraft. These will be used ion conjunction with the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers soon to come online as well as the existing nuclear submarine fleet. First delivery of two aircraft is expected in 2019. The final examples will arrive in 2021.

August 2016 - It was announced that India will purchase an additional four P-8I aircraft.

November 2016 - Norway has announced plans to purchase five new-build P-8 Poseidon aircraft. These will succeed an aging fleet of Lockheed P-3 and Diamond DA-20 aircraft. Norway joins India and the United Kingdom in committing to the aircraft.

November 2016 - The P-8A began operational service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Planned Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is set for sometime in 2018 with fifteen of the aircraft planned for procurement. These will be operated alongside Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAVs and a pair of special-mission Gulfstream G550 aircraft. The combined fleet is set to replace nineteen Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion platforms.

December 2016 - The Norwegian order for five P-8 aircraft was approved by the United States government.

March 2017 - Current P-8 strength for the United States Navy stands at 52 aircraft. The USN has announced a procurement objective of 117 total P-8 platforms. Six additional aircraft were added by the new Trump Administration budget.

March 2017 - Norway has officially signed a deal for five P-8 aircraft. These will be used to replace the current fleet of six Lockehed P-3 Orion platforms as well as three Dassault Falcon 20 series aircraft.

April 2017 - Boeing has, on order, seventeen P-8A series aircraft to date.

April 2017 - New Zealand is actively searching for a replacement for its aging P-3 Orion fleet. The U.S. State Department has cleared the way for the country to purchase up to four P-8 Poseidon aircraft.

March 2018 - The P-8A has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), some five months ahead of a stated program goal for the service.

June 2018 - South Korea has announced its intention to procure six P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for it Navy service with the possibility of growing this fleet in the near-future. The deal may be worth around $1.8 billion USD.

September 2018 - The United States government has approved a $2.1 billion deal with South Korea that includes six P-8A maritime patrollers as well as Patriot missile batteries. The U.S. State Department has since cleared the deal to go forward.

January 2019 - A total of 98 P-8A and 8 P-8I models have been produced by Boeing to date.

February 2019 - Boeing has netted a $2.5 billion USD deal for nineteen P-8 maritime patrollers by way of a Foreign Military Sale. Ten examples to go to the United States Navy, five to Norway, and four to the United Kingdom.

July 2019 - A Poseidon MRA.1, destined for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, completed its first flight on July 12th, 2019. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is expected for sometime in 2020.

February 2020 - The first Royal Air Force P-8A arrived at Kinloss Base in Scotland on February 4th, 2020.

March 2020 - A second P-8A airframe has been received by the British Royal Air Force (to serve as the "MRA Mk.1").

March 2020 - Boeing has netted a $1.5 billion USD contract to cover construction and delivery of 18 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft units to the United States Navy as well as the nations of South Korea and New Zealand.

April 2020 - U.S. authorities have cleared a deal for Harpoon anti-ship missiles and torpedoes to be sold to India and used on its fleet of P-8I aircraft.

January 2021 - Australia has announced its intention to procure an additional pair of P-8A platforms to bring its total operating fleet to fourteen aircraft.

March 2021 - Germany has been approved by the American government for the purchase of five P-8A maritime patrol platforms.

April 2021 - The United States Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have ordered an additional eleven P-8A maritime patrol platforms between them.

July 2021 - Germany has officially signed to procure five examples of the P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

January 2022 - The RAF was handed its ninth, and final, P-8A maritime patrol aircraft (MRA.1) after arriving in-country on January 11th, 2022.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Boeing P-8 Poseidon. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 106 Units

Contractor(s): Boeing Integrated Defense Systems - USA
National flag of Australia National flag of India National flag of New Zealand National flag of Norway National flag of South Korea National flag of the United Kingdom National flag of the United States

[ Australia; India; New Zealand; Norway; South Korea; United Kingdom; United States ]
1 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
2 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
3 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
4 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
5 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
6 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
7 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
8 / 8
Image of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Going Further...
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft appears in the following collections:
HOME
AVIATION INDEX
AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE AIRCRAFT
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT
AIRCRAFT BY TYPE
AIRCRAFT BY DECADE
MODERN AIRCRAFT
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)