Originally Posted by
stilton
will the P8 ever be used at low altitude, where sub hunters used to roam, close enough to visually spot a submarine on the surface?
You can visually spot a sub at 10,000 feet, but you have to know what to look for and it needs to be committing an indiscretion (and you need decent vis and not very much sea state). The low altitude (which isn't 10,000') was a part of the requirement for the aircraft. I saw a slide on it regarding the default mission profile from the spec. I'll see if I can find it.
Hmm. can't find that slide.
There was a time/alt figure that showed take off, transit to "on station" and then descent to on station altitude and then climb and return. Will post a pic if I figure out where I saved it.