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| Specifications of P-8 Poseidon, US Patrol Aircraft Used by India to Assist China |
International Military - The P-8 Poseidon specifications are an interesting discussion to review. Some time ago, this US-made aircraft was used by India to help China. According to a report by EurAsian Times, there was a rare sight when the Indian and Chinese navies worked together on the high seas.
On May 17, India assisted in the search and rescue of a Beijing fishing vessel that sank in the South Indian Ocean region. This moment is the first time that the navies of India and China have cooperated on the high seas after the conflict in the Galwan Valley in East Ladakh in 2020.
Interestingly, India helped search for the Chinese ship using a patrol plane it purchased from the United States, namely the P-8 Poseidon.
The Boeing P-8, also known as the P-8 Poseidon, is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft. The aircraft made by Boeing are designed for many missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, supporting sea warfare, to search or rescue missions.
Quoted from the official Boeing website, the P-8 has two variants. First there are the P-8Is used by the Indian navy, as well as the P-8A operated by the US, British, Australian and several other countries. In its history, the P-8I was purchased by India from the US Boeing company in 2013. As of May 15, 2023, this aircraft was recorded as having completed 40 thousand hours of operation in the past 10 years.
The P-8I is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft developed by Boeing for the Indian Navy. It is based on the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a military derivative of the Boeing 737 airliner. While the P-8I is manufactured in the United States, it is customized to meet the specific requirements of the Indian Navy.
Currently, the Indian navy is estimated to have eight P-8I units stationed in INAS 312 Squadron. Some time ago, the aircraft was also used in a mission to help search for Chinese ships that sank.
In its design, the P-8I is designed for long-range missions, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), to surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Turning to its features, this aircraft is equipped with sophisticated sensors and weapons systems and other platforms that have been recognized globally.
Here are some key specifications of the P-8I:
- Role: Maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance aircraft.
- Crew: Typically, a crew of nine (pilots, sensor operators, and mission specialists).
- Length: Approximately 39.47 meters (129.5 feet).
- Wingspan: Approximately 37.6 meters (123.4 feet).
- Height: Approximately 12.83 meters (42.1 feet).
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: Around 85,139 kilograms (187,700 pounds).
- Engine: Two CFM International CFM56-7B27A high-bypass turbofan engines, each providing about 27,000 pounds of thrust.
- Maximum Speed: Approximately 907 kilometers per hour (564 miles per hour).
- Range: Approximately 2,222 kilometers (1,380 miles) with internal fuel, extendable with air-to-air refueling.
- Endurance: Can stay on station for extended periods, typically up to 4-6 hours, depending on mission requirements.
- Payload: Equipped with a variety of sensors, including radar, electronic warfare systems, and acoustic sensors for anti-submarine warfare operations. Can carry torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-ship missiles.
- Avionics: The P-8I features advanced avionics and mission systems for surveillance, detection, and data gathering in maritime environments.
- Communication Systems: Equipped with secure communication systems for real-time data exchange and collaboration with other maritime and airborne assets.
- Sensors: Includes a multi-mode radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), and sonobuoys for underwater surveillance.
- Additional Features: The P-8I has a reinforced fuselage for low-level operations, wing hardpoints for carrying external stores, and a weapons bay for internal stores.
These specifications are based on the general capabilities and features of the P-8 Poseidon, as the specific details of the P-8I may vary to accommodate Indian Navy's requirements.