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Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon Makes First Flight
The first production version of Boeing's first P-8A Poseidon took off and completed its first successful flight. The plane flew June 21 from Renton Field, where it is assembled, to Boeing Field in Seattle, where mission systems will be installed. It is the first of six low-rate initial production aircraft for the Navy, part of a $1.6 billion contract awarded in January. (defense.aol.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
A commercial version of those aft "bomb bay doors" would make a novel and unique way to quickly upload/offload baggage (cartridge style)in the civilian world. Airline luggage service has not changed in 60/70 years since the DC-6 days . . The last area for modern improvement, why load/offload bags one at a time through a skinny little baggage door?
Randi what about the cost of loitering in terms of fuel (and dollars) per hour-sq. mile or whatever parameters the Navy used. A turboprop is far more efficient than a pure jet when operating at low altitudes and higher temps, so the P3 (without considering that it is by now a tired but proud horse) is more cost-efficient, and now that the budget cuts are looming on the horizon, perhaps the Orion would have been a much better choice but who knew it when they preferred the P-8.
I don't know allot about the endurance of a P-3 vs the new P-8. However with aerial refueling the aircraft can stay aloft for extended periods of time. What I have read is everyone discussing the duration of the mission, but no one has mentioned the stores that can be carried. Is the P-8 able to carry more munitions, more varied types of munitions then the P-3? I will agree that turboprops can often be the better alternative then pure jets. However if the airframes are getting to point where they are too costly to keep airworthy, then a replacement had to be found. My thought is that I am very happy that the Navy ordered a Boeing aircraft then some type of Airbus. Please note yes the RN=Registered Nurse, but prior to that BS Aeronautical Engineering Class of '75. I have some feel for what I am expressing. What amazes me is the lack of winglets on the P-8 in the video. Everything I have read states the winglets increase range, cut down on drag and turbulence at the wingtip. Who missed the boat here?
Less loitering means more time on deck to spend that per diem.
You all have good points. The P-3 is an excellent maritime patrol aircraft that can loiter on station and patrol/attack for a long period of time. I know,I have worked with them in the Gulf of Mexico(Drug Ops) and the Atlantic Ocean(Anti-Sub Ops). The P-3 is truly, Orion the Hunter. However, the airframe is very old and the electronics are due an upgrade. I'm wondering if the P-8 will have the indurance, tenacity and agility as the P-3? I've seen the P-3 patrolling on 2 props under 100ft and she flew like an Albatross. It would be nice if you can use them both in a dynamic duo role. Seen the P-8 out first to acquire the target faster and then near the end of P-8s on station fuel time, handoff prosecution to a P-3 that just arrive on station. It would be nice if some of that money could be use to upgrade a few of the P-3s. Hey, get an AWACS overhead to coordinate every thing an you have Poseidon's shields. Allso, I doubt if the DHC-8 could match the P-3s performace.
They are all suggestions. They can all do the same job as the P3, most not as good in terms of range and loiter time. Well aware that the five sided crap house would never purchase a Japanese aircraft.