USN and RAAF to receive more Poseidon aircraft
USN P-8A multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft. (Photo: Boeing)
USN will obtain 11 more P-8A aircraft and RAAF fleet will grow by two.
The USN is procuring 11 additional P-8A Poseidon long-range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft from Boeing for $1.7 billion, the manufacturer announced on 31 March.
Two of these Poseidons will be supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a partner in the P-8A programme.
The latest contract will bring to 114 the total number of P-8As in the USN inventory, plus 14 bought by the RAAF via the FMS programme.
Other orders for the P-8A (or variants thereof) have come from India, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the UK.
Poseidon can carry weapons such as the MK 54 torpedo or AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile in a bomb bay or externally mounted on pylons. It has two weapons stations on each wing and can carry 129 sonobuoys. The aircraft also features an in-flight refuelling system.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Doodle Labs expands use of its radios on UAV systems]()
Doodle Labs expands use of its radios on UAV systems
Mesh Rider is a SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) optimised mesh radio designed for uncrewed systems and supports six frequency bands in a single transceiver and AES-256 encryption. It was developed in cooperation with the US Defense Innovation Unit.
-
![NATO’s E-3A fleet more important than ever, says force commander]()
NATO’s E-3A fleet more important than ever, says force commander
NATO’s E-3A fleet will have been in service for more than half a century by the time of their expected retirement but a boost to the capability and conflict elsewhere have highlighted their importance.
-
![NATO progresses effort to replace E-3A AWACS fleet]()
NATO progresses effort to replace E-3A AWACS fleet
NATO’s E-3A AWACS fleet has been scheduled for retirement from 2035. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has been leading the Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) project to develop new options for future surveillance and control capabilities, based on future technology and requirements.
