New stuff under the sun for Boeing! Gizmag reports that the giant company will have five P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine test planes finalized by March 2009, with the actual production process expected to begin starting in 2013.
The plane is said to be no less
than a hundred and twenty nine feet long aircraft with a 117 foot wingspan. Besides that, the makers claim this might be the long-awaited replacement for the P-3 Orion. In addition, the plane will be developed into the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Dubbed The Poseidon, it is a long-range anti-submarine plane like its predecessor, and it is said to be able to carry five torpedoes, four anti-ship missiles and two satellite guided bombs, the whole beauty kit.
In addition to its anti-submarine capabilities, the Poseidon can be used in missions for reconnaissance, surveillance, anti-surface warfare, shipping interdiction and intelligence gathering. Not to mention it has an advanced mission system for maximum interoperability in battle space and is capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations.
When it comes to its strengths, the P-8A Poseidon features a cruising speed of about 815 km/h and a maximum speed of 907km/h, with 30 million flight hours. As Gizmag states: "each CFM56-7 engine receives 27.300 pounds of takeoff thrust, and in flight the plane can reach a service ceiling of 12.5 km. While empty, it weighs 62 and it has a maximum takeoff weight of 85.370kg. The P-8 is based on Boeing's 737-800, and is the first militarized version of that series. It features raked wingtips rather than blended winglets and six additional body fuel tanks. The US Navy has been searching for a replacement for the P-3 for roughly two decades."
Sweet steel bird!
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