We take a quick look at the US Navy P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, which is based on the Boeing 737NG. The primary role of the P-8 is anti-submarine warfare (ASW), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and anti-surface warfare. The P-8 can also conduct Search and Rescue when required.

The P-8 shares 86% commonality with the commercial 737NG, and comes in 2 variants: The P-8I, flown by the Indian Navy, and the P-8A Poseidon flown by the U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the Republic of Korea Navy.

Militaries that have selected the P-8 include the German Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The P-8A is equipped with advanced surveillance and reconnaissance equipment including a long-range X-band radar capable of detecting sea targets hundreds of kilometers away, and digital electro-optical (EO) / infrared (IR) equipment capable of high-resolution imaging and detection of targets within tens of kilometers, as well as electronic warfare equipment.

Additionally, the P-8A is armed with air-to-surface missiles capable of precisely striking maritime targets and torpedoes for targeting submarines underwater. It can carry over 120 sonobuoys, which are used to detect, identify, and track enemy submarine signals.

The US Navy's Increment 3 is the next step in the spiral evolution of Poseidon. Increment 3 Block 2 provides a significant upgrade to the P-8A airframe and avionics systems, and includes new airframe racks, radomes, antennas, sensors, and wiring. The modification incorporates a new combat systems suite with an improved computer processing and higher security architecture capability, a wide band satellite communication system, an ASW signals intelligence capability, a track management system, and additional communications and acoustics systems to enhance search, detection and targeting capabilities. The first fleet aircraft modification to this standard is expected to be complete in January 2025.

Go Bold!


To hear more about military aircraft and the pilots that fly them, please listen to the "Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala" podcast which can be found on all major podcast platforms, or at: www.goboldthepodcast.com.

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