Boeing P - 8 Poseidon The Boeing P - 8 Poseidon ( formerly the Multimission Maritime Aircraft or MMA ) is a military aircraft currently being developed for the United States Navy ( USN ) . The aircraft is being developed by Boeing Defense , Space & Security , modified from the 737 - 800 . The P - 8 is intended to conduct anti - submarine warfare ( ASW ) and shipping interdiction and to engage in an electronic intelligence ( ELINT ) role . This will involve carrying torpedo es , depth charge s , SLAM - ER , Harpoon anti - ship missiles , and other weapons . It will also be able to drop and monitor sonobuoy s . It is designed to operate in conjunction with the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle . The P - 8 has also been ordered by the Indian Navy . Development . Origins . The Lockheed P - 3 Orion ASW aircraft has been in service with the U . S . Navy since 1962 . In the mid - 1980s the Navy began studies for a replacement aircraft for the P - 3 , which had its range and time on station capabilities reduced because of increasing weight and was approaching the end of its airframe fatigue life . The Navy specification also required reduced operating and support costs . In 1989 , the Navy awarded Lockheed a fixed - price contract to develop the P - 7 , but the project was canceled the following year . Boeing and Lockheed Martin were part of a new competition for a replacement aircraft begun in 2000 . Lockheed submitted the Orion 21 , an updated , new - build version of the P - 3 turboprop . Boeing submitted a proposal centered around its 737 - 800 airliner . BAE Systems offered a new - build version of the Nimrod MRA4 , the newest version of the UK ' s indigenous jet - powered maritime patrol aircraft . However , BAE withdrew from the competition in October 2002 , recognizing the political reality that the failure to find a US - based production partner made the bid unrealistic . On 14 May 2004 , Boeing was selected winner of the competition . The following month the Navy awarded Boeing a development contract for MMA . The project was planned to be for at least 108 airframes for the U . S . Navy . More orders are possible from the other nations operating over 200 P - 3s . Project value is expected to be worth at least $ 15 billion . Raytheon , Northrop Grumman , Spirit AeroSystems , GE Aviation Systems , Marshall Aerospace , CFMI , BAE Systems , and Marotta are major subcontractors . In July 2004 , the U . S . Navy placed an order for five MMA aircraft . The first flight - test aircraft was to be completed in 2009 before beginning testing . The first aircraft , a test aircraft , is to be converted to production standards at a later date . Boeing ' s MMA aircraft received the P - 8A designation on 30 March 2005 . The Navy later ordered another five aircraft . Design phase and testing . The P - 8 is based on a proven airframe design and will at first be equipped with legacy P - 3 systems with later upgrades to more advanced technology . The Government Accountability Office has credited this incremental approach with keeping the project on schedule and on budget . Timely replacement of the P - 3s is vital because their airframes are breaking down from age and use . In mid - 2008 , the Naval Air Systems Command ( NAVAIR ) deleted the requirement for the P - 8A to be equipped with magnetic anomaly detection ( MAD ) equipment . This was part of a NAVAIR - directed effort to reduce P - 8A aircraft weight by to improve aircraft range and endurance . P - 8Is destined for the Indian Navy will continue to retain MAD . The P - 8A will use a new hydrocarbon sensor to detect fuel vapors from diesel submarines and other conventionally powered ships . The P - 8 ' s first flight occurred on 25 April 2009 . The second and third P - 8s have flown and begun flight testing by early August 2010 . On 11 August 2010 , the U . S . DoD approved the P - 8 for low - rate production . A P - 8 deployed sonobuoys for the first time on 15 October 2010 , dropping six sonobuoys in three separate low altitude passes . In 2011 , it was found that the ice detection system on the P - 8 was defective due to the use of several counterfeit components . It is alleged that these substandard parts had been poorly refurbished and sold to P - 8 subcontractor BAE Systems as new by a supplier in China . The first production P - 8A was handed over to the Navy on 4 March 2012 . It flew to Naval Air Station Jacksonville , Florida , where it will be used for aircrew training with the Fleet Replacement Squadron ( FRS ) , Patrol Squadron 30 ( VP - 30 ) . On 24 September 2012 , Boeing announced it had received a $ 1 . 9 billion order for another 11 aircraft . It has delivered the first three P - 8As . On 10 June 2013 , a DoD Inspector General ( IG ) report noted that the Navy should delay full - rate production for the P - 8 , as they lack critical information necessary about whether the aircraft meets operational requirements to perform primary missions . Additional testing also needs to be completed to guarantee a 25 - year lifespan for the airframe . Boeing executives dismissed the report , saying the flight test program is on track . On 24 June 2013 , a P - 8 Poseidon successfully fired a live AGM - 84D Block IC Harpoon anti - ship missile scoring a direct hit . The test was to validate the weapons ' hardware and software integration onto the aircraft . On 1 July 2013 , a U . S . Navy initial operational test and evaluation ( IOT & E ) report found that the P - 8A Poseidon was " operationally effective , operationally suitable , and ready for fleet introduction . " Nine low - rate initial production aircraft have been delivered to the service . On 31 July 2013 , Boeing received a $ 2 . 04 billion contract to build 13 P - 8A Poseidons as part of the fourth low - rate initial production lot . Deliveries from the fourth lot will raise the fleet to 37 aircraft by the end of 2016 . The contract also funds long - lead parts to build 16 P - 8As for the first full - rate production lot , scheduled to be awarded in 2014 . The decision for the contract to be part of low - rate production is in response to the 10 June Inspector General report . Full - rate production has been delayed until the aircraft demonstrates it can survive its 25 - year lifespan without structural fatigue , overcome mission - limited deficiencies , track surface ships , and perform other primary missions . Derivatives . Boeing approached the U . S . Air Force in 2010 about replacing the E - 8C Joint STARS fleet with a modified version of the P - 8 at the same cost Northrop Grumman proposed for re - engining and upgrading the E - 8s . The proposed version is named P - 8 Airborne Ground Surveillance ( AGS ) and would integrate an active electronically scanned array ( AESA ) radar , and have ground moving target indicator ( GMTI ) and synthetic aperture radar ( SAR ) capabilities . The main distinguishing feature of the P - 8 AGS is pod - mounted radar , fixed to the lower centerline of the fuselage ; the pod is lowered so the engine nacelles do not interrupt the radar ' s line of sight . Two aft ventral fins on lower aft provide stability for the aircraft . The P - 8 AGS also uses the P - 8A ' s Raytheon AN / APY - 10 multi - mission surface search radar . Boeing has campaigned for a fleet of P - 8 AGS aircraft instead of re - engining the E - 8s . The Air Force ’ s Analysis of Alternatives ( AoA ) of the JSTARS platform began in March 2010 to review options for performing the JSTARS mission . An initial decision on the AOA was expected in September 2011 . At a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting on 20 March 2012 , the Air Force said they did not have the resources to buy a new business - class ISR platform . Design . The P - 8 is a militarized version of the 737 - 800 with 737 - 900 - based wings . The airframe uses a 737 - 800 - based fuselage that is similar to but longer than the 737 - 700 - based C - 40 Clipper . The P - 8 has a strengthened fuselage and 767 - 400ER - style raked wingtips , instead of the blended winglets available on 737NG variants . The five operator stations ( two Naval Flight Officer s plus three enlisted Aviation Warfare Operators / Naval Aircrewman ) are mounted in a sideways row , along the port side of the cabin . None of these crew stations have windows . One observer window is located on each side of the forward cabin . The P - 8 features the Raytheon APY - 10 multi - mission surface search radar . The P - 8I will feature an international version of the APY - 10 . A short bomb bay for torpedoes and other stores opens behind the wing . The aircraft also includes six additional body fuel tanks for extended range from Marshall Aerospace ; three of the tanks are located in the forward cargo compartment and three in the rear . In - flight refueling is via a receptacle on top of the forward fuselage , just aft of the cockpit . This receptacle will receive a flying boom that is typically used to refuel US Air Force aircraft , as opposed to the hose - and - drogue system used by other US Navy aircraft . In order to power the additional electronics , the P - 8 has a 180kVA electric generator on each engine instead of the 90kVA generator found on civilian 737s . This required a redesign of the nacelles and their mountings to the wings . In U . S . service , the Poseidon will be complemented by around 40 MQ - 4C Triton UAVs for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance system to provide continuous surveillance . Because of the cancellation of Lockheed Martin ' s Aerial Common Sensor project , Boeing will propose a signals intelligence variant of the P - 8 to service the requirement for the U . S . Navy . Operational history . In February 2012 , the P - 8 made its mission debut during " Bold Alligator " 2012 , an annual littoral warfare exercise . In April 2012 , the aircraft took part in Exercise Joint Warrior , flying out of RAF Lossiemouth . During RIMPAC 2012 in the Hawaiian area , two P - 8As participated in 24 exercise scenarios as part of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One ( VX - 1 ) forward deployed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay . Initial operating capability is expected in 2013 . U . S . Navy P - 8s may rotate through American allies such as " the Philippines or Thailand to help those nations with maritime domain awareness . " Exports and foreign involvement . The U . S . Department of Defense wants to follow a program template similar to that of the F - 35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter ( JSF ) program , with international cooperation from prospective MMA users . Boeing publicly identified New Zealand as a potential customer . Italy indicated interest in purchasing MMA aircraft , with fleet support provided by Alitalia in 2004 . However , in December 2008 , Italy announced the purchase of four ATR 72 turboprop aircraft to replace its aging Atlantic Maritime Patrol Aircraft , possibly as a temporary solution because Italy remained interested in the P - 8 . Australia . The Australian Minister for Defence announced on 20 July 2007 that the P - 8A MMA had been selected as the preferred aircraft to replace the Royal Australian Air Force ' s fleet of AP - 3C Orion s in conjunction with a yet - to - be - selected unmanned aerial vehicle . The last RAAF AP - 3C is scheduled to be retired in 2018 , after nearly 30 years of service . A memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) will be signed that will help Australia to gain access to classified data and help to input specific requirements . In March 2009 , Australia ' s Chief of Air Force stated that subject to anticipated government approval , the RAAF would begin to add the P - 8 to their fleet in 2016 . In October 2012 , Australia formalized its participation in the program with a commitment of A $ 73 . 9m ( US $ 81 . 1m ) in an agreement with the U . S . Navy . Eight P - 8 aircraft are planned to replace the RAAF ' s AP - 3C aircraft by 2017 - 18 , and reach operational capability by 2019 . Air Marshal Geoff Brown , head of the Royal Australian Air Force , has said Australia is considering purchasing more manned P - 8 Poseidons , and reducing the number of MQ - 4C Triton unmanned aircraft than it originally planned to buy . India . In January 2008 , Boeing proposed the P - 8I , a customized export variant of the P - 8A , for the Indian Navy . On 4 January 2009 , India ' s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Boeing for the supply of eight P - 8Is at a total cost of US $ 2 . 1 billion . These aircraft would replace Indian Navy ' s aging Tupolev Tu - 142M maritime surveillance turboprops . Each aircraft has an average cost of about US $ 220 million . The deal makes India the first international customer of the P - 8 , and also marks Boeing ' s first military sale to India . In October 2010 , India ' s Defence Acquisition Council of the Ministry of Defence approved the purchase of four additional P - 8Is . In March 2011 , it was reported that India was to order four additional P - 8s from Boeing later in the year . India plans to order another 12 P - 8Is at a later time . The Data Link II communications technology for the P - 8I was received by Boeing from Bharat Electronics Limited in April 2010 . The communications system will enable exchange of tactical data and messages between Indian Navy aircraft , ships and shore establishments . Boeing will install the system during P - 8I final assembly . The IFF , system from BEL was also handed over to Boeing for integration with P - 8I in December 2010 . India buying AGM - 84L Harpoon Block II Missiles and Mk 54 All - Up - Round Lightweight Torpedoes for the P - 8I . Flight testing of P - 8Is began in July 2012 , with deliveries planned to start in 2013 . The first P - 8I was handed over to an Indian naval team at the Boeing facility at Seattle on 19 December 2012 . The Indian Navy is to fly it to India along with the second and third aircraft after they are handed over in May and June 2013 . The Indian Navy inducted its first Boeing P - 8I Poseidon aircraft on 15 May 2013 . Others . In August 2012 , " AirForces Monthly " reported that " Boeing sees the UK as a prime market for its P - 8A Poseidon " following the cancellation of Nimrod MRA4 . However , the UK has indicated it is not interested in a " silver bullet " solution like the P - 8 . Boeing is now repackaging the P - 8 systems in a cheaper airframe , the Bombardier Challenger 605 business jet . This proposed Maritime Surveillance Aircraft ( MSA ) has been depicted with the AN / APY - 10 radar , an electro - optical sensor in a retractable turret , and a CAE Inc . magnetic anomaly detector . Operators . United States