Thought you would enjoy this news release. - Jim

"Poseidon represents the centerpiece of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force. Make no mistake, P-8A is a game changer that will help ensure the United States Navy remains the preeminent maritime force in the world." – Rear Adm. Michael W. Hewitt, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

Maritime Patrol

The P-8A Poseidon will replace the P-3C Orion as a long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. This valuable addition to naval air forces will protect the sea base and enhance our forward presence. The P-8A is the first Navy combat aircraft that has been built from the ground up on a commercial production line. By leveraging Boeing’s commercial 737 airframe and reliable aircraft systems, the program will reduce time and overall cost for the Navy.

The Aircraft of the Future: New and Improved

Feb. 12 was the kickoff of the Centennial of Naval Aviation (CONA) celebration. As we learn from the rich history of naval aviation, we incorporate necessary changes and improvements in technology and move into the future. The Navy and industry are working together to align current and future technologies of the P-3C and P-8A to allow for rapid integration and deployment of new capabilities to the maritime patrol and reconnaissance fleet. Some of the key features that will allow the P-8A to remain a versatile aircraft in the years to come include:

• Incorporates the current capabilities of the P-3, with enhanced mission systems, software and communications technology. Open architecture will allow the P-8A to upgrade its capabilities and systems.

• Has storage capacity of 120 sonobuoys - 50 percent greater than that of the P-3.

• Offers interoperability for exchange of information and a digital management system.

• Has greater speed and payload capacity and more advanced radars and sensors than the P-3.

• Has a higher operating altitude of 41,000 feet.

• Capable of air-to-air refueling, allowing for a more efficient mission performance.

Key Messages

The P-8A Poseidon will be the leader in long-range maritime patrol, contributing to protection of the sea base and the nation’s defense.

• The P-8A’s ASW capability is a critical component of the U.S. Navy’s global Maritime Strategy.

• Mission capabilities will include the same systems as the P-3C, with added growth potential through open architecture, extended global reach, greater payload and higher operating altitude.

• This year marks the 100th anniversary of naval aviation, an extraordinary milestone that gives the sea services opportunity to commemorate the unique contributions naval aviation has made to our national security. For more information on the CONA, visit www.navy.mil/flynavy/.

Facts and Figures

The P-8A can carry more than 20,000 pounds of weapons, including MK-54 torpedoes, standoff land attack missile expanded response and sonobuoys.

• The Poseidon follows a long list of previous fixed-wing maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, including the P-3C Orion, P2V-4 Neptune, PBY-6A Catalina, and the S3-B Viking, designed to secure the Navy’s maritime patrol capability.

• The P-8A program continues to meet all performance criteria and is on track for initial operating capability in 2013.

• As of Feb. 11, the U.S. Navy has more than 3,700 aircraft in operational status. More than 200 naval aircraft, past and present, will participate in the kickoff for CONA in San Diego Feb. 12.

For ASW what matters directly is the effectiveness of the A/C's MAD system and of its sonobuoys, along with quality of training, amount of ping time per crew etc. And - regardless of the airframe - the MK-I Eyeball has been very effective in locating submarines also. (But I suspect that the time and concentration on the ASW mission is pretty thin compared to what it was in the Cold War.)

More indirectly, the number of A/C we buy, their readiness numbers, their loiter time and range, and the quality of cueing information they operate with will determine their overall effectiveness in ASW.

The quoted article was remiss in not mentioning the S-2F Tracker in its list of ASW fixed-wing A/C.