US 4th Fleet prepares for P-8A Poseidon
A Boeing P-8A Poseidon has arrived at Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa, El Salvador, in preparation for deployment with the US Navy’s 4th Fleet, the navy announced on 29 June.
The P-8A, which replaces the P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, is expected to begin its deployment in the 4th Fleet area of responsibility in 2017. The aircraft is capable of conducting long range maritime and littoral operations as well as surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
The new aircraft will support Joint Interagency Task Force-South missions out of CSL Comalapa. The P-3C Orion has operated out of the location in support of counter-illicit trafficking and counter-narcotic operations for more than ten years.
US Naval Forces Southern Command and US 4th Fleet supports US Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and enhance regional security in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![“Capital follows confidence” as defence courts private money]()
“Capital follows confidence” as defence courts private money
Outside investment and the direction in which venture money flows may reveal what defence will buy years before formal programmes begin.
-
![Canada’s new military drone marketplace targets rapid acquisition pipeline]()
Canada’s new military drone marketplace targets rapid acquisition pipeline
The Department of National Defence expects initial contracts to deliver thousands of uncrewed systems, but has yet to establish the quantities, capability mix or deadline behind Ottawa’s promised tenfold expansion.
-
![Ukraine turns legacy Kongsberg land turrets into semi-autonomous USV weapons]()
Ukraine turns legacy Kongsberg land turrets into semi-autonomous USV weapons
The company told Shephard that Ukraine is operating modified Protector weapon stations originally supplied for armoured vehicles, with human operators authorising engagements from hundreds of kilometres away.
-
![UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour]()
UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
-
![Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era]()
Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
