| Description |
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The P-8A Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine
warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations.
A derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, the P-8A combines superior performance
and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in
the future battle space.
Customers:
The P-8A is being developed for the U.S. Navy by a Boeing-led industry team that
consists of CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Smiths Aerospace.
The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. The first
aircraft will be delivered for flight test in 2009 and initial operational capability is slated for
2013.
India is currently considering acquisition of the P-8I, a derivative of the P-8A designed
specifically for the unique, exacting requirements of the Indian Navy.
General Characteristics:
Propulsion: Two CFM56-7 engines providing 27,000
pounds thrust each
Length: 123.3 feet (37.59 meters)
Wing Span: 123.6 feet (37.64 meters)
Height: 42.1 feet (12.83 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Gross Weight: 187,700 pounds (85,139 kilograms)
Speed: 490 knots (564 mi/h, 789 km/h)
Range: 1,200+ nautical miles, with 4 hours on station
(1,381 miles, 2,222 kilometers)
Ceiling: 41,000 feet (12,496 meters)
Crew: 9
Boeing will build the P-8A at its production facility in Renton, Wash. The 737 fuselage will
be built in Wichita, Kan., and then sent to Renton where all aircraft structural features
unique to the P-8A will be incorporated in sequence during fabrication and assembly.
Last Updated: March 2007
Aircraft quality and performance acceptance flight testing will be conducted from Renton
Field and final installation and checkout of the mission system and special flight test
instrumentation will be conducted at Boeing Field. The aircraft will then ferry to Naval Air
Station Patuxent River, Md., for flight test in the spring of 2009.
Background:
Boeing was awarded a $3.89 billion contract for the system development and
demonstration (SDD) phase of the program on June 14, 2004. SDD activities include
developing and integrating all the necessary software and onboard mission systems and
developing training systems. The P-8A is expected to significantly transform how the
Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will train, operate and deploy.
In November 2005 the Navy announced that the P-8A preliminary design review (PDR)
conducted Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 was the best major weapons system PDR it had ever
reviewed. A successful PDR paves the way for critical design review in early 2007.
Miscellaneous:
Boeing and its industry partners provide unrivaled expertise in both large-scale systems
integration and network centric operations, plus unquestioned leadership in developing
and customizing military and commercial products for maritime forces.
CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma Moteurs and General Electric
Company, provides the CFM56-7 engines that will power the P-8A. The two engines will
each provide 27,300 pounds of takeoff thrust. The CFM56-7 is one of the world’s most
reliable engines. This fleet of engines has logged more than 30 million flight hours while
maintaining an industry-leading .002 percent in-flight shut down rate per 1,000 hours of
flight.
Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems sector will provide the electro-optical/infrared
(EO/IR) sensor, the directional infrared countermeasures system, and the electronic
support measures system. Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector will develop
data links for P-8A. The company’s Integrated Systems sector will support the mission
planning effort.
Raytheon will provide an upgraded APS-137 Maritime Surveillance Radar and Signals
Intelligence (SIGINT) solutions. Raytheon is also offering its revolutionary GPS Anti-Jam,
Integrated Friend or Foe, and Towed Decoy Self-Protection suites, and the aircraft’s
Broadcast Info System (BIS) and secure UHF Satcom capability.
Smiths Aerospace will supply both the Flight Management and Stores Management
systems on the P-8A. The Flight Management System provides a truly integrated open
architecture that is CNS/ATM compatible along with an inherent growth path for
upgrades. The Stores Management System provides a comprehensive system for the
electronic control of integrated weapons management. |
