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United States Boeing
P-8 Poseidon
737-based multi-mission maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, replacing the P-3 Orion.
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-04
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
US ITAR-controlled
Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.
Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Compatible munitions & weapons
Publicly reported weapons the P-8 Poseidon can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 907 km/h |
|---|---|
| Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station. | 815 km/h |
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 2,222 km |
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 12,497 m |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 39.47 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 37.64 m |
| Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles. | 12.83 m |
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 62,730 kg |
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 85,820 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 9 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | CFM International CFM56-7B27A turbofan |
|---|---|
| Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost. | 2 |
| Thrust Total engine thrust (with afterburner where applicable). | 121 kN |
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | turbofan |
Specifications compiled from public Boeing and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-04.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) KJ-2000 (Mainring) Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon? +
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon has a maximum speed of 907 km/h.
What is the range of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon? +
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon has a maximum range of 2,222 km.
How much does the Boeing P-8 Poseidon weigh? +
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon has a combat weight of 85,820 kg.
How many crew does the Boeing P-8 Poseidon require? +
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon requires a crew of 9.
What engine does the Boeing P-8 Poseidon use? +
The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is powered by the CFM International CFM56-7B27A turbofan.
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