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https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing ... 08.articleFinal US Navy active duty patrol squadron transitions from P-3C Orion to P-8A Poseidon
All of the US Navy’s (USN) active duty patrol squadrons have transitioned
from the Lockheed P-3C Orion to the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Patrol Squadron 40, the Fighting Marlins, completed the final transition on 14 May, the service says on 28 May 2020.
The squadron started the transition in November 2019.
The squadron, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state, first began P-3C operations in 1968.
The first P-8A was delivered to the USN in 2011.
The aircraft which is based on the commercial 737-800 airframe with -900 wings
is much larger and quieter than the four-engined P-3C.
That aircraft was developed from the 1950s-era Lockheed L-188 Electra commercial airliner.
The P-8A can carry 126 sonobuoys internally, four Boeing AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles on hardpoints beneath its wings,
as well as Mk 54 lightweight hybrid torpedoes and survival kits within an internal bomb bay.
It can also fly higher and faster than its turboprop predecessor:
up to 41,000ft and with a maximum speed of 490kt (908km/h).
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/9 ... 8-poseidon
https://www.airforce.gov.au/technology/ ... a-poseidonThe P-8 has had no problems handling low altitude ASW (anti submarine warfare) and ISR collection.
The HUD in the left seat also greatly increases our situational awareness
when operating at 200 feet and up to 45 degrees angle of bank.
...but it will still look a like a jet airliner doing low level stuff.The P-8A is built specifically as a military aircraft.
It is based on the proven commercial designs of Boeing's 737-800 fuselage,
but has been substantially modified to include:
a weapons bay
under wing and under fuselage hard points for weapons, and
increased strengthening for low level (down to 200ft) operations and high angle turns.
The P-8A aircraft has an extensive communications system including radios and data links across VHF, UHF, HF and SATCOM.
An internal fuel capacity of almost 34 tonnes
allows the P-8A to conduct low level anti-submarine warfare missions at a distance of greater than 2,000 kilometres from base.
The P-8A will be compatible for air-to-air refuelling with the KC-30A MRTT.
