The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is a multimission maritime patrol aircraft excelling at anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime domain awareness, and search and rescue. In operation worldwide, the P-8 redefines the standards of multimission patrol and reconnaissance in every mission it undertakes.
The proven multimission maritime patrol aircraft
Capabilities and Features
Tactical
The P-8 delivers unparalleled performance and reliability in an uncertain world — in any condition, anytime, anywhere.
Anti-submarine warfare
Executes anti-submarine warfare (ASW) through an integrated sensor suite to conduct search, detection, classification, localization, tracking and attack of submarines. The P-8 utilizes a state-of-the-art acoustics sensor suite, sonobuoys, electronic support measures (ESM), inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) and the delivery of torpedoes for sub hunting.
Anti-surface warfare
Executes anti-surface warfare (ASuW) through elegant communications and data link systems. This integrated sensor suite conducts search, detection, classification, localization, tracking and attack of naval surface targets, utilizing ESM and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and delivering Harpoon missiles.
Maritime ISR
Performs maritime ISR through a proven sensor suite of radar with ISAR, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), periscope, search and navigation. These systems are optimized for combat-ready maritime patrol in detecting, locating and tracking surface and undersea targets.
Overland ISR
Conducts overland ISR and battlespace command and control (C2) of land forces using its advanced mission system, data link and electro-optical/infrared sensor suite.
Search and rescue
Searches and delivers rescue stories in large ocean and overland areas with advanced sensors quickly at high and low altitudes. This includes the carriage and release of the UNI-PAC search-and-rescue survival kit.
Military operations communications
Supports a full complement of radio frequency communications via Link 11 and 16 to support coordination of operations. This includes wideband satellite communications with ground stations that enable interoperability with allies and partner nations.
Advanced technology
Combines the most advanced weapon system of its kind and a cutting-edge mission system that ensures maximum capability growth and interoperability in the battlespace.
Unmatched performance and endurance
Flies up to 41,000 feet (12,496.8 meters) with a maximum speed of 490 knots. Fitted with an in-flight refueling system, the P-8’s endurance and range allow it to conduct extended patrols over vast expanses of water, benefitting both military and humanitarian operations.
Operational
P-8 interoperability is increasingly strengthened by a growing global fleet.
Proven track record
Flying for more than 700,000 combined hours — or 80 years — around the globe, the P-8 has earned its reputation as a proven and reliable system. Each aircraft is engineered for 25 years of service and 25,000 flight-hours in the harshest maritime flight regimes, ensuring hundreds of thousands more flight-hours to come.
Improved readiness
Joint support teams result in improved readiness through rapid issues resolution, reliability improvement and top degrader management.
Superior sustainment
Leveraging worldwide logistics, maintenance and training support systems, Boeing provides superior sustainment solutions to support the unparalleled capabilities of the P-8 aircraft.
TARDIS
Boeing’s commercial TARDIS (Transportable Analysis & Replay Drive Interface Station) is a portable computing ground station that rapidly builds aircraft media. TARDIS provides the software tools necessary to manage and analyze the aircraft’s data and storage media, both pre- and postflight. For inquiries, please contact Boeing Business Development.
Economical
The P-8 provides high levels of fleet availability while reducing life cycle cost.
Cost efficiency
Sharing 86% commonality with the Next-Generation 737 and Boeing’s expertise in commercial fleet management and derivative aircraft sustainment afford customers greater availability at a lower operational cost.
Integrated support
Leveraging commercial program solutions — including supply chain, global support, field service, data/tech publications, spares and repairs, modifications and retrofits — to offer tailored, affordable solutions.
Global supply chain infrastructure
Utilizing Boeing’s existing commercial supply chain infrastructure and maintenance, repair and overhaul service relationships offer reduced program costs and availability risks to enable fleet operational readiness.
Evolutionary
Designed to meet the challenges of current and future missions.
Adaptable
The P-8 Poseidon offers the size, weight, power and cooling capacity to support evolving mission needs.
Open systems architecture
The P-8’s open mission systems architecture means rapid, affordable technology insertion for decades of mission readiness.
Upgradable
The Increment 3 Block 2 upgrade — currently being installed on operational U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force P-8s — will allow aircrews to search, detect and target the most advanced submarines in the world.
Specifications
Wingspan |
123.6 feet (37.6 meters) |
| Length | 129.6 feet (39.5 meters) |
Thrust |
27,300 pounds-force (121.4 kilonewtons) per engine |
| Ceiling | 41,000 feet (12,496 meters) |
Range |
1,200+ nautical miles >4-hour time on station (2,225+ kilometers) |
Height |
42.1 feet (12.8 meters) |
| Engines (2) | CFM-56-7BE |
Max Speed |
490 knots or 459+ ktas (true airspeed) = 564 mph or 850 kph |
| Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight | 189,200 pounds (85,820 kilograms) |
Weapon Stores Compatibility |
129 A-size sonobuoys |
Customers
News
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Program Highlights
Background
The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon delivered to the U.S. Navy on March 4, 2012. Since that historic moment, more than 170 additional P-8s have been delivered to eight operators and counting, as the Poseidon builds on its reputation as the world’s premier multimission maritime patrol aircraft.
Generations and variants
P-8A
The P-8A has been delivered to (in order) the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, New Zealand Defence Force, Republic of Korea Navy and German Navy. The Royal Canadian Air Force is on contract to become the ninth P-8 operator, including the Indian Navy, which operates the P-8I.
P-8I
The P-8I is a P-8 variant solely operated by the Indian Navy, which took command of its first sub hunter in May 2013.