P-8A not as bad as some think it is

[ehusmann]

When you would only see the title of this article: "Is Boeing's New Submarine-Destroying Warplane a $35 Billion Bust?" you might actually expect that to be answered with "yes" or at least a "probably". But the conclussion is actually quite different:

Where work still needs to be done, therefore, is in the area of underwater sub-hunting. But while improvements still need to be made, it sounds like the P-8A Poseidon is at least "good enough" for the Navy and enjoys the service's support. And at the risk of damning with faint praise, at the very least the Poseidon is incrementally better at finding subs than the Orions it is replacing -- and getting better with each round of upgrades.

In other words, a sensationalist title, but not much to back it up.

Erwin

[tomcat604]

The Motley Fool articles love to play up a sensationalist title - then they back off when it comes to providing proof.
It's almost hard to imagine the P8 NOT being a better weapon - its how many years newer than the P3? (even its latest updated version)

[wonju666]

The Motley Fool articles love to play up a sensationalist title - then they back off when it comes to providing proof.
It's almost hard to imagine the P8 NOT being a better weapon - its how many years newer than the P3? (even its latest updated version)

Here's an update on current ASW capabilities of the P-8A (from the latest DOT&E annual report (2013)):

The P-8A Increment 1 system provides effective
small- area, cued Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) search,
localization, and attack mission capabilities similar to the
legacy P-3C system. Fundamental limitations in current
sensor technology restrict search capabilities against more
stressing adversary targets, making the P-8A not effective
in some mission scenarios. The P-8A does not have an
equivalent broad-area ASW acoustic search capability
similar to that provided by the P-3C Improved Extended
Echo Ranging system. The Navy intends to install the next
generation multi-static active system to provide broad-area
ASW search capabilities as part of the P-8A Increment 2
program. As a result of these two sensor shortfalls, the
P-8A cannot execute the full range of mission tasks
required by the ASW concept of operations. In fact,
current P-8A ASW search capabilities provide only a
small fraction of what is needed for most Navy operational
plans. P-8A non-acoustic search capabilities are also very
limited for evasive targets attempting to limit exposure
to detection by radar and other sensors. Existing Mk 54
torpedo limitations also reduce P-8A attack effectiveness
against evasive targets

[wonju666]

From the same report:

P-8A aircraft flight performance meets or exceeds
operational requirements and fully supports execution
of the ASW, ASuW, and ISR concept of operations. The
system provides increased range, payload, and speed
compared to the legacy P-3C aircraft