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The Boeing P-8 Poseidon (formerly the Multimission Maritime Aircraft or MMA) is a military aircraft currently being developed for the United States Navy. It is intended to conduct anti-submarine warfare, shipping interdiction, and to engage in an electronic intelligence (ELINT) role. This will involve carrying torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, and other weapons. It will also be able to drop and monitor sonobuoys. It is designed to operate in conjunction with the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle. The P-8 is to be built by Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division from the 737-800.
[edit] DevelopmentThe P-8's predecessor, the Lockheed P-3 Orion ASW aircraft has been in service with the U.S. Navy since 1961. In the mid-1980s the Navy began studies for a replacement aircraft for the P-3 which has lost range/time on station capabilities due to increasing weight and is approaching the end of its fatigue life. The Navy specification also required reduced operating and support costs. In 1989 the Navy awarded a fixed-price contract to Lockheed to design and build two prototype aircraft, to be designated the P-7. This project was canceled in 1990 following a $300 million cost overrun by Lockheed and resulting delays. 
Boeing and Lockheed Martin were part of a new competition for a replacement aircraft begun in 2000. Lockheed submitted the Orion 21, an updated, new-build version of the P-3 turboprop, while Boeing submitted a proposal centered around their 737-800ERX airliner. BAE Systems offered a new-build version of the Nimrod, the UK's jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft, in service since 1969. However, BAE withdrew from the competition in October 2002, recognizing the political reality that the failure to find a US-based production partner made the bid unrealistic.[1] On June 14, 2004, Boeing won the competition.[2] Initial operating capability is expected to be 2013. The project is expected to be for at least 108 airframes for the U.S. Navy alone, and perhaps more to other nations operating over 200 P-3s. Project value is expected to be worth at least $15 billion, or as much as $45 billion. Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Spirit AeroSystems, GE Aviation Systems, Marshall Aerospace, CFMI, BAE Systems, and Marotta are major subcontractors.[1] The U.S. Navy placed an order for five MMA aircraft on July 8, 2004. The first flight test aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2009. The first aircraft will be a test aircraft, and will be converted to production standards at a later date. In U.S. service the Poseidon will be complemented by the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance UAV system, which will provide continuous surveillance. The system is expected to enter service around 2010. Around 40 UAVs will be based at five sites — Hawaii; Diego Garcia; NAS Jacksonville, Florida; Kadena AB, Japan and Sigonella, Italy. As of 2005, the Global Hawk, the Mariner and Predator UAVs are being considered for the role.[3] Due to the cancellation of Lockheed Martin's Aerial Common Sensor project, Boeing will propose a signals intelligence variant of the P-8 to service the requirement for the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.[4] [edit] Foreign involvementThe U.S. Department of Defense wants to follow a program template similar to that of the Joint Strike Fighter program, with international cooperation from prospective MMA users.[citation needed] This would include many of the fifteen nations that currently use the P-3. The MMA project should avoid one of the major problems of the JSF, that of technology transfer.[citation needed] The MMA, while incorporating much high technology, would not include such proprietary and sensitive characteristics as stealth technology. Of all the JSF partners only the UK is enjoying significant technology transfer, and even this is limited.[citation needed] The Australian Minister for Defence announced on 20 July 2007 that the P-8A MMA had been selected as the preferred aircraft to replace the Royal Australian Air Force's fleet of AP-3C Orions in conjunction with a yet to be selected unmanned aerial vehicle. The last RAAF AP-3C is scheduled to be retired in 2018, after nearly 30 years of service.[5] Italy has been strongly tipped for a purchase of a total of 14 Wedgetail and MMA aircraft, with fleet support provided by Alitalia.[6] Canada, Italy and Australia may each pay up to $300 million in order to have first-tier participation in the MMA project.[7] This may or may not involve workshare agreements. However, with Boeing Australia already participating in the related Wedgetail development, some level of offset seems likely.[citation needed] Boeing has also proposed the P-8A to the Indian Navy (designated P-8I), to replace that service's Il-38 'May' platform.[8] [edit] DesignThe P-8 is a militarized version of the 737-800. The airframe is a similar but longer than the 737-700-based C-40 Clipper. The P-8 is unique in that it has 767-400ER-style raked wingtips, instead of the blended winglets available on 737NG variants.[9] It also includes 6 additional body fuel tanks, three in the forward cargo compartment and three in the rear, for extended range. These are manufactured by Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, UK. [edit] Operators
[edit] SpecificationsData from US Navy Fact File - P-8A [10] and Boeing P-8A Specifications [11] General characteristics
Performance
Armament Joint missiles, Mines and Torpedoes Avionics [edit] See alsoRelated development Comparable aircraft Related lists [edit] References
[edit] External links
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