Mission

The P-8A Poseidon is the U.S. Navy’s multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft conducting long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). P-8A Poseidon is the replacement aircraft for the P-3C Orion.

Description

The P-8A Poseidon, the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol aircraft, is capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, and search and rescue.

Operating with a smaller crew, yet delivering an extended global reach, greater payload capacity, higher operating altitude, open-systems architecture and significant growth potential, the P-8A provides more combat capability. 

With state of the art technology, developed specifically for the Poseidon, such as synthetic aperture radar, an electro and optical infrared sensor turret, and increased acoustic capability, the aircraft conducts concurrent passive and active processing.

In addition to aircraft procurement, the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) Program Office (PMA-290), is also focused on depot-level maintenance, which is currently on-going at U.S.-based airframe maintenance facilities. Additionally, training systems infrastructure improvements are ongoing, along with the continued integration and fleet delivery of preplanned incremental capability upgrades.

Equipped with state of the art radars, sensors and a new air-to-air refuel capability, the P-8A is scheduled to receive periodic future enhancements to keep pace with the ASW threat.

The P-8A Poseidon is responsive and interoperable with traditional manned forces and evolving unmanned sensors.

Specifications

Propulsion:  2 CFM 56-7B engines with 27,300 lbs. thrust each
Length:  129.5 feet (39.47 meters)
Height: 42.1 feet (12.83 meters)
Wingspan:  123.6 feet (37.64 meters)
Maximum Gross Takeoff:  189,200 pounds (85,820 kilograms)
Crew:  Nine
Armament:  Torpedoes, cruise missiles
Contractor:  Boeing Defense, Space and Security

Program Status

ACAT:  ACAT 1C
Acquisition Phase: Full Rate Production (FRP) 
Initial Operational Capabilities (IOC) date: November 2013

Projected Full Operational Capabilities (FOC) date: 2023