Boeing P-8 Poseidon
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is an American maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and derived from the civilian Boeing 737-800. It was developed for the United States Navy (USN).
| P-8 Poseidon | |
|---|---|
| A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon | |
| Role | Maritime patrol aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| First flight | 25 April 2009 |
| Introduction | November 2013 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | United States Navy |
| Produced | 2009–present |
| Number built | 176 as of November 2023 |
| Developed from | Boeing 737 Next Generation |
The P-8 operates in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. It is armed with torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons, can drop and monitor sonobuoys, and can operate in conjunction with other assets, including the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The P-8 is operated by the United States Navy, the Indian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It has also been ordered by the Republic of Korea Navy, and the German Navy. The Royal Canadian Air Force announced it is ordering 14 P-8 aircraft with options for 2 more in November 2023.