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Boeing P-8A Poseidon – Royal Australian Air Force
Australia’s new anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft, meet the Boeing P-8A Poseidon?
History
The Boeing P-8A Poseidon was designed as an anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft. The P-8A Poseidon was built by America’s Boeing Defense, Space & Security division and it features a modified 737-800 fuselage and 737-900 wings. A weapons bay and hardpoints were added when compared to the commercial model, also featuring a strengthening of the wings and body.
Powered by two CFM56-7B27A turbofans this aircraft has plenty of power to complete the missions at hand. The CFM56-7B27A turbofan produces 18,300 hp (13,650 kW) each is capable of a maximum speed of 907 km/h (564 mph, 490 kn), definitely not making it a slouch.
The aircraft also features modern surveillance sensors, countermeasures, communications and the latest in electronic support measures. The vehicle is also capable of air-to-air refuelling and it has a combat fuel range of 2,225 km (1,383 mi, 1,200 nmi). With eleven hardpoints, 5 internal, 6 external and a suite of countermeasures the P-8A Poseidon is a powerful proposition for any country, considering its currently in operation with ten of them.
During the ordering process the Australian military asked if Boeing could integrate the mounting system for the AGM-84 Harpoon/Block 1G anti-ship missile into the P-3A Poseidon’s design after ordering the first four, they agreed and the Australians ordered a further eight more.
Operational History
The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is a staple of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), this anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft was ordered to replace their old Lockheed AP-3C Orions. The Royal Australian Air Force currently has twelve P-8A Poseidon’s in operation over its Australian borders, plus an additional two more on order.
In May 2022, according to the Australian Defence minister a Shenyang J-16 “Qianlong” was flown alongside a RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon and dumped all its flares and chaff on the aircraft. Unfortunately some chaff was sucked into the P-8A Poseidon’s engine, it is not known if their was any internal damage but the aircraft continued to fly on.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Country: Australia
- Production: 185 aircraft
- Crew: 2 + 7
- Length: 39.47 m (129 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 37.64 m (123 ft 6 in)
- Height: 12.83 m (42 ft 1 in)
- Empty weight: 62,730 kg (138,300 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 85,820 kg (189,200 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 x CFM56-7B27A turbofans
- Power: 18,300 hp (13,650 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 907 km/h (564 mph, 490 kn)
- Cruise speed: 815 km/h (509 mph, 440 kn)
- Stall speed: 207 km/h (129 mph, 112 kn) flaps down
- Combat Range: 2,225 km (1,383 mi, 1,200 nmi) (internal fuel)
- Range: 8,300 km (5,200 mi, 4,500 nmi) (internal fuel)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 m (41,000 ft)
Armaments & Countermeasures
Guns: None
Hardpoints: 11, 5 internal & 6 external hardpoints with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Short range, air to ground missiles (AGM-84 Harpoon)
- Short range, air to ground missiles (AGM-84 Harpoon/Block 1G) - Aussie Exclusive
- Short range, air to ground missiles (AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER)
- Medium range, air to ground missiles (AGM-88G AARGM-ER)
- Medium range, air to ground missiles (AGM-158C LRASM)
- Mark 54 Torpedo
- Sting Ray Torpedo
- Naval mines
- Depth charges
Countermeasures: Chaff, Flares and DIRCM laser disruption system.
In game
The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is would probably feature in rank 4 - 6, of the Australian/New Zealand branch of Britian’s aviation tech tree. Having eleven hardpoints and being a maritime patrol aircraft the P-8A Poseidon would be an interesting opponent, it would have great air-to-ground capabilities but its air-to-air capabilities are very limited, like other bombers and marine patrollers of this class.
Photos
P-8A Poseidon using its missiles
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_P-8_Poseidon
https://www.airforce.gov.au/aircraft/p-8a-poseidon
P-8 Poseidon
https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/mma/?cf-view
Thanks for reading :)