The P-8 contract was awarded at a time when Boeing’s reputation was still sterling—when Boeing was regarded as a paragon of American industry, in sharp contrast to the company’s current woes.
Anyone who has flown domestically within the United States has likely flown on a Boeing 737, the workhorse narrow-body commercial aircraft that airlines like Southwest and American use for their short hops. One is far less likely to have flown on its military derivative, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, currently in use with the multiple navies around the world. Named for the Greek god of the sea, the P-8 Poseidon specializes in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. As America shifts its focus to the vast expanses of the Indo-Pacific region, the P-8 will play a much more prominent role in its defense.
Introducing the P-8 Poseidon
Before the P-8 first flew, in 2009, the Navy was dependent upon the Lockheed P-3 Orion for ASW operations. The P-3 was a 1960’s era turboprop that, by the 1980s, was becoming outdated—with limited range and endurance—and was nearing its airframe limitations. The Navy decided to upgrade, offering Lockheed a contract in 1989 to develop the P-7 replacement. But the P-7 program was canceled the following year, leaving the Navy stuck with the P-3 throughout the 1990s. This was hardly the end of the world, considering that the United States was the unchallenged global superpower for much of that decade.
In 2000, however, the Navy renewed its focus on replacing the P-3. A competition known as the “Multimission Maritime Aircraft” (MMA) program was issued. Three companies submitted proposals. Lockheed Martin submitted an updated version of their P-3 known as the Orion 21; BAE Systems submitted an updated version of the Nimrod MRA4; and Boeing submitted a proposal based on their commercially successful 737-800 airliner. Boeing was ultimately awarded the contract, and the new aircraft was designated the P-8.
How Boeing Designed the P-8 Poseidon
The P-8 contract was awarded at a time when Boeing’s reputation was still sterling—when Boeing was regarded as a paragon of American industry and a Wall Street darling, and in sharp contrast to the company’s current woes. The P-8 was derived from an aircraft that had helped Boeing to earn its sterling reputation, the 737, which had been modified several times throughout its then-three decade history. The P-8 program would represent another modification, albeit a more drastic modification.
The P-8 was designed to handle lower altitudes and more aggressive maneuvering than its commercial counterpart. Accordingly, the P-8 was outfitted with stronger wings, with raked wingtips; electro-mechanical expulsion deicing systems; a more responsive autothrottle; and a more powerful electric generator. The P-8 was also outfitted with a short bomb bay for torpedoes and other weapons. The P-8 even proved capable of firing the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile—a feat that, fortunately, the civilian 737 has not yet been tasked with.
The P-8 was introduced to the Navy in 2013, offering a significant upgrade in capabilities and comfort over the P-3. These are attributes that will come in handy as the U.S. shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific, and relies more intensely upon the aircraft.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a senior defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
Image: Shutterstock / Michael Fitzsimmons.
