Boeing P-8 Poseidon
| P-8 Poseidon | |
|---|---|
| File:MMA.jpg | |
| Illustration of the P-8A Poseidon, showing the raked wingtip | |
| Role | ASW/ASuW |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Integrated Defense Systems |
| First flight | 2009 (projected) |
| Introduction | 2012 (projected) |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Developed from | Boeing 737 |
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.
Development
The 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 airframe 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 MRA4, the newest version of the UK's indigenous jet-powered maritime patrol aircraft. 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 14 June 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 8 July 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 used in the program. 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. Navy.[4]
Exports and foreign involvement
The 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.
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 indicated interest for a purchase of a total of 14 Wedgetail and MMA aircraft, with fleet support provided by Alitalia in 2004.[6] However, in December 2008 Italy announced the purchase of four ATR-72 turboprop aircraft to replace its aging Atlantic Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which "likely means the Italy's ambitions to join the U.S. Navy's MPA program are dead."[7] Canada and Australia may each pay up to $300 million in order to have first-tier participation in the MMA project.[8] 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 proposed the P-8A to the Indian Navy (designated P-8I), to replace that service's Il-38 'May' platform.[9] On January 4, 2009, the Ministry of Defence of India signed an agreement with Boeing for the supply eight P-8I Poseidons at a total cost of US$2.1 billion. These aircraft would replace Indian Navy's aging Tupolev Tu-142M maritime surveillance turboprops.[10]
Design
The 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.[11] 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.
Variants
- P-8A
- Production variant for the United States Navy.
- P-8I
- Export variant for the Indian Navy
Operators
- United States Navy - on order
- Indian Navy - 8 planes on order[12]
Specifications
Data from US Navy P-8A Fact File,[13] and Boeing P-8A Specifications [14]
General characteristics
- Crew: Flight:2 Mission:7
Performance
Armament
Joint missiles, Mines and Torpedoes
Avionics
Raytheon APY-10 (APS-137 follow-on) surface search radar and SIGINT package
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ Lewis, Paul (2002-10-08). "BAE pulls out of MMA competition; Lack of US partner prompts Nimrod MRA4 withdrawal". Flight International. Reed Business Information UK. p. 5. Retrieved 2006-12-06.
- ^ "Boeing Team Wins $3.89 Billion Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft Program," Boeing press release.
- ^ Burgess, Richard R. (2005). "UAV Tests Its Sea Legs: The Global Hawk Has Performed Well On Missions Over Land, But Has Not Been Assigned To Long-Range Surveillance Of The World's Oceans" (DOC). Seapower May 2005. Navy Office of Information. Retrieved December 19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Boeing unveils new 737 signals intelligence concept," Flight International, 26 January 2006.
- ^ "First Pass Approval for Orion Replacement" (Press release). The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence. 2007-07-20. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ "U.S. MMA Decision Reverberates in Italy". Aviation Week & Space Technology, 21 June 2004.
- ^ "Eyes Forward. Italy Chose ATR 72s for Sea Surveillance, But Still Awaits UAV Type Selection". Aviation Week and Space Technology, December 15, 2008.
- ^ "U.S. Navy Eyes Three Nations For Possible Role In MMA". Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, 5 November 2004.
- ^ India eyes $2b defence deal with US
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_inks_largest-ever_defence_deal_with_US/articleshow/3934357.cms
- ^ "New MMA wingtips combat icing", Flight International, 7 June 2005.
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_inks_largest-ever_defence_deal_with_US/articleshow/3934357.cms
- ^ "P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft". United States Navy, 25 January 2007.
- ^ "P-8A Poseidon," Boeing, retrieved 6 July 2007.