Boeing P-8 Poseidon

History of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon

The Boeing P-8 "Poseidon" is a militarized version of the Boeing 737-800 NG ("Next Generation") airframe designed for maritime patrol (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR)) and anti-submarine warfare / Anti-Surface Warfare (ASW) role. The P-8 was introduced by the United States Navy (USN) to replace the aging Lockheed L-88 Electra family of propeller-driven P-3C Orions that had been in service since the 1960s.

Originally designated as a P-8A in service with Naval Air Systems Command (NASC), the aircraft has been contracted to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). The P-8 achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in November 2013 and is expected to achieve full operational capability (FOC) in 2018.

Externally, the P-8 retains the shape of the original Boeing 737-800 product line, as it has a well-contoured tubular fuselage with a low-swept monoplane, twin-blade tail, and a monoplane vertical rear wing. Two turbofan engines are mounted under each wing. Various antennae and communication protrusions are scattered on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the trunk. The cockpit is located behind a short nose cone radar housing at the very forward end of the fuselage.

While many of the physical aspects of the P-8 correspond to those of the commercial Boeing 737, the P-8 is equipped with in-flight refueling for extended hold times.

The P-8 is equipped with 2 CFM International 56-7B series turbofan engines, each producing 27,300 pounds of thrust. Performance specs include a flying speed of 565 mph, a service ceiling of up to 41,000 feet and a range of 1,200 nautical miles, with the ability to stay on station for about four hours.

The standard operator is nine, including two pilots and up to seven mission specialists. Dimensions include a barrel length of 130 feet, a wingspan of 124 feet, and a height of 42 feet.

In addition to the P-8's impressive electronics suite, the aircraft can also use internally fixed rotary launchers through the weapons bay (five stations) for ordnance in the form of torpedoes, cruise missiles, bombs and mines . ). In addition, the P-8 can deploy sonobuys when needed, and there are six external weapons stations for ammunition and mission pods. As such, an aircraft is the definition of a full-service "multi-mission" performer, capable of providing its own scanning, tracking, identification, and engagement capabilities in a complete battlefield package. Wide-area maritime surveillance (BAMS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) integration have also been added to further increase the aircraft's tactical value. A Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) is mounted aft of the fuselage, and an INMARSAT antenna system is integrated into the extreme end of the vertical tail.

The surface search radar on board is a Raytheon APY-10 series unit.

As of May 2014, the US Navy has 13 P-8 aircraft in inventory. The line is in full production rate (FRP) with a planned total inventory of 117 aircraft. The Indian Navy has ordered 8 aircraft (possibly 30 in total) as the P-8I Neptune, and the Australian Navy has officially committed to the product. The first Indian model arrived on May 15, 2013.

Canada, Italy and Norway have also shown other foreign interest.

US Navy P-8 aircraft were used in a recent extensive overseas search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Specification

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Production

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