- Yes
- No
Boeing P-8A Poseidon – Royal New Zealand Air Force
New Zealand’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.
Operational History
The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is a staple of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), this anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft was ordered to replace their old Lockheed P-3K2 Orions. The New Zealand Air Force currently has four P-8A Poseidon’s in operation over its New Zealand borders.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Country: New Zealand
- 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-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 dropping a Mark 54 Torpedo
Sources
Boeing P-8 Poseidon - Wikipedia
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2019-06/P-8%20A4%20Factsheet.pdf
P-8 Poseidon
https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/mma/?cf-view
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/our-equipment/aircraft/boeing-p-8a-poseidon/
Thanks for reading :)