Boeing, because the developments of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft also affect Italy
To date, our country has just 4 P-72A patrol aircraft, indicated from the outset as an interim solution. Therefore, the arrival of a platform as high-performance as the P-8A Poseidon would be ideal. Giovanni Martinelli's analysis
The announcement came directly from Boeing. The large American group active in aerospace and defense has in fact announced that it intends to offer one of its flagship products for a Canadian weapons program. The product in question is the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (or MPA, Maritime Patrol Aircraft) while the specific program initiated by Ottawa is known as Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA).
The latter is aimed at replacing the aircraft currently in service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, namely the CP-140 Aurora; which are none other than the local version of the famous P-3 Orion, an aircraft widely used in the past (but in reality, still in service today in numerous specimens) by many countries around the world.
Canada's objective is therefore to put into service a new generation of aircraft, with a wide range and capable of carrying out a wide range of missions; from actual maritime patrol, including the fundamental ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) function, to ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and C3 (Command, Control and Communications) tasks. In short, real multi-role platforms, perfectly responding to the needs of modern operational scenarios.
In this, it must immediately be said that Poseidon appears to be the best possible response to these needs today. And the reason is soon said: this aircraft represents in fact the reference point in the sector, as demonstrated by the fact that, in addition to the USA, it has now also been purchased by India, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Norway. and Germany. For a total of over 180 aircraft ordered (many of which are already in service).
Based on the platform of a passenger aircraft, namely Boeing's own 737-800ERX, it is equipped with a complete suite of sensors, a long range and a high transfer rate to the area of operations. In addition to on-board sensors (a radar and an electro-optical apparatus, mainly used for the discovery of surface targets, as well as sonoboe to be used for submarine search operations), the P-8A can also launch different types of weapons, from use against different targets (especially, ships and submarines); from torpedoes to depth charges, passing through anti-ship missiles or even mines.
But the data in some ways even more important is represented by the fact that this MPA is, in fact, a still “young” system; therefore, with significant potential in terms of developing its operational capabilities. All this is further amplified both by being based on a passenger aircraft (in turn very widespread), and by its growing presence in the NATO air and / or naval forces.
All considerations that bring us back to the analysis of the Italian situation in this specific sector and its possible future prospects. In fact, our country currently has just 4 P-72A patrol aircraft, also derived from aircraft for the transport of passengers, namely the ATR -72s. Indicated from the outset as an interim solution, intended to ferry the passage between the radiation of the previous Breguet Br 1150 Atlantic and the arrival of a new MPA, their rapid replacement should be a priority for our Armed Forces.
First of all because the P-72As themselves are machines with evident operational limitations (for example, they do not have "real" capabilities to combat submarines); and then because in the meantime the Mediterranean has returned to being a very "warm" sea, within which more and more threats of all kinds (above and below its surface) proliferate.
Therefore, the arrival of a platform as high-performance as the P-8A Poseidon would be ideal; and while understanding the temptation to pursue some solution on a national basis, the tight deadlines, the fewer unknowns linked to an already developed product and its remarkable capabilities, once again appear to be decisive factors. After all, also in light of the forthcoming acquisition of 2 other KC-767 aeroruppliers from Boeing, it would still seem possible to follow the path of possible industrial returns by the same American company to national companies.
In short, at this point all that remains is to issue the operational requirement, find the necessary funds and, finally, agree the Air Force and the Navy (since the former has always been in charge of the MPAs, to then have them operate together with the second). It may not be easy, but an effort should really be made; and also quickly!
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/boeing-perche-gli-sviluppi-del-velivolo-p-8a-poseidon-interessano-anche-litalia/ on Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:46:47 +0000.