PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Boeing P-8A Poseidon Successfully Completes 1st Flight (P3 replacement)
Old 30th Apr 2009, 02:10
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dostum
 
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Yes,This thing does have a bomb bay, but aft of the mainplane. The P8 will be able to carry SLAM ER, JDAMs and Mk 54 Torps. Interestingly, there will no longer be any need to be down low for a torp drop, given the combination of Mk 54 and JDAM kits. I also understand the Americans have taken out the MAD kit.I guess the maritime role has evolved a lot over the years, its no longer all 'blue water' stuff. I think the new concept touted by USN is Maritime/Patrol/ Reconnaissance and Attack.This new aircraft will be well suited to ops overland (ISR) and will give commanders plenty of flexibility as an 'extra shooter' over theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan.Hopefully the White Paper will give more guidance, but these aircraft would be an enormous boost to RAAF capability.
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