|
The P-8A Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. It possesses an advanced mission system for maximum interoperability in battle space. Capable of broad-area, maritime, and littoral operations, the P-8A is expected to influence how the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance forces train, operate, and deploy.
Power
A next-generation derivative of the 737-800, the P-8A is powered by the CFM56-7 engine, which also powers the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft and C-40 transport.
27,300 pounds of takeoff thrust per engine
30 million flight hours, with an industry-leading 0.002 percent in-flight shut-down rate per 1,000 flight hours
Production Team and Assignments
The P-8A is being developed for the U.S. Navy by a Boeing-led team.
Boeing provides airframe modifications and fuselage production, development and integration of software and onboard mission systems, and training systems development.
Fuselage built in Wichita, Kansas
P-8A production assembly in Renton, Washington
Quality and performance acceptance flight testing, Renton Field
Final installations and checkout, Boeing Field
Flight testing at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland
CFM International (a 50/50 joint company comprising Snecma Moteurs and General Electric Company) supplies the CFM56-7 engine.
Northrop Grumman provides the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, the directional infrared countermeasures system, the electronic support measures system, data link development, and mission-planning support.
Raytheon provides the upgraded APS-137 maritime surveillance radar and signals intelligence (SIGINT) solution; a GPS anti-jam, integrated friend or foe, and towed decoy self-protection suite; a broadcast info system (BIS); and secure UHF satcom capability.
GE Aviation supplies flight-management and stores-management systems.
Spirit AeroSystems builds the 737 aircraft's fuselage and airframe tail sections and struts.
History and Schedule
The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8A to replace its fleet of P-3 aircraft.
Component advanced development (CAD) award, September 2002
System development and demonstration (SDD) award, June 2004
Systems requirements review, September 2004
Preliminary design review, September 2005
Flight-test delivery of first aircraft, 2009
Initial operational capability and expected full-production decision, 2013 For more information, read the P-8A overview (pdf).
|
