The first of the UK’s new P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft will land at Kinloss Barracks in Scotland this week.

The ‘Pride of Moray’ will arrive on Tuesday the 4th of February, between 1300-1500 at Kinloss Barracks in Scotland.

The P-8 Poseidon, developed by Boeing, is designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping interdiction, along with an electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) role. This involves carrying torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and other weapons.

The history of the aircraft dates back to June 2004, when the US Navy announced the selection of the Boeing multimission maritime aircraft, 737 MMA, and awarded a contract to Boeing for the system development and demonstration phase of the programme for the US Navy’s next-generation maritime surveillance aircraft. The aircraft was given the designation P-8A in March 2005.

Infographic of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

Poseidon contains up to 7 crew computer consoles in its cabin, has an electro-optical and infrared sensor turret, a maritime surveillance radar and signal intelligence system. Its radar is capable of detection, classification and identification of ships, small vessels and surfaced submarines.

It also has coastal surveillance capability meaning that the Poseidon can be used for search and rescue operations.

The UK has procured 9 of the aircraft.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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maurice10
maurice10
4 years ago

A potent piece of kit and one that can work with other ‘Poseidons’ from other nations, if I’m correct. Imagine a concentration of such planes over an identified target, especially a submarine, just what would the odds of survival be?

Steve R
Steve R
4 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

Not high I’d imagine.

The US has them, we are getting them and so is Norway, so that’s the North Atlantic, North Sea and GIUK gap pretty much covered right there. If hostilities broke out i would not want to be a Russian submariner transiting any of those seas.

maurice10
maurice10
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve R

This begs the question as to what submarine countermeasures can be called on to counter these planes? It also brings into question the vulnerability and viability of submarines in general? At the end of WW2 the survivability of U-Boats was almost nil against Coastal Command advanced tactics. Currently, today’s subs do not need to surface, but even operating at moderate depths could be risky? According to a relative, the World of the submarines is one of the most secret of the three services, and who knows what technologies exist to protect and equally, destroy?

DaveyB
DaveyB
4 years ago
Reply to  maurice10

You have to remember that even the fabled late war Type 21 U-boats were very noisy underwater, especially by today’s standards. These boats still had to do the point and shoot technique when launching torpedoes from periscope depth. This made them very vulnerable, as they had to get close to the target before firing, thus having a greater chance of being detected. Today’s nuke subs and the modern SSKs are the modern equivalent to the sea-going ninja. Stealth is everything, using the sea’s thermoclines that distort sound to hide behind. Covered in anechoic tiles that act like an aircraft’s RAM… Read more »

Gavin Gordon
Gavin Gordon
4 years ago

Perhaps their combined Sigint abilities will prove most influencial in isolating nuclear/AIP submarines.

KNS
KNS
4 years ago

Land at Kinross Barracks !! Landing on the parade ground is it.. ???

Mike
Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  KNS

The runway is still there!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  KNS

Ex RAF Kinloss. You’re probably just joking KNS.

I hope it is kept on as a diversionary for Lossimouth and not just as barracks.

A pity Kinloss is not the home station.

KNS
KNS
4 years ago

Kinloss even duh !!

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
4 years ago

Intresting that the aircraft is getting a distinctive name, perhaps a tie in to its naval connections. If this is to be the case with all the p8s, since we’re never going to have a ship named Thunder Child can we have a P8 perhaps. Just to please my inner nerd.

IKnowNothing
IKnowNothing
4 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

Only if its main role is to protect Paddle Steamers as they leave harbour

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
4 years ago
Reply to  IKnowNothing

Well nuclear vessels are basically steam punk steam ships. Just use nuclear materials instead of coal.

Gunbuster
Gunbuster
4 years ago

An interesting piece here regarding new weapons and uses for P8s in the US Navy

The integration of LRASM is a must as the USN recognises that HARPOON is well past its sell by date and has limited use in an area with civilian shipping around.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32071/navy-to-greatly-expand-p-8-poseidons-mission-with-new-missiles-mines-bombs-and-decoys

Paul42
Paul42
4 years ago
Reply to  Gunbuster

The purchase of LRASM for the P8s could go hand in hand with a purchase for our surface vessels. ……..Pity our first aircraft is not able to touch down at it’s correct operating base? Rather embarrassing when you consider how many years we’ve had to get the place ready? Presumably MOD Contractors are behind schedule again……..

Ron
Ron
4 years ago
Reply to  Gunbuster

Gunbuster, Can I ask you a question that is not related to anything on this site but in gunnery?

Frank62
Frank62
4 years ago

Good that one of the largest & shocking gaps in our defence capabilities is finally being closed, at long last. Now we need a few more ASW frigates to respond to sub contacts.

Will our Poseidons have Harpoons or another ASM, or is that another potential we have to wait for the Treasury/MOD to begrudgingly supply down the line?

Alan Reid
Alan Reid
4 years ago

You know, I think I went my holidays in one of those Boeing 737s!