US aerospace giant Boeing plans to offer the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in response to Canada’s request for information (RFI) for long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
The Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) project will replace the Royal Canadian Air Force fleet of CP-140 Aurora aircraft and enhance its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Canada’s project to procure a manned, long-range platform is currently in the options analysis stage, with the delivery of the first of the new aircraft tentatively set for 2032.
“The P-8A Poseidon has demonstrated that it is the world’s most capable multi-mission aircraft currently in production and offers a complete solution for Canada’s CMMA requirements,” said Tim Flood, International Business Development director, Europe and Americas. “The range, speed, and endurance of the P-8 makes it the perfect platform to monitor Canada’s northern and maritime approaches and the P-8 will ensure allied interoperability to meet Canada’s security commitments.”
Boeing noted that the international P-8 operators community operates more than 140 aircraft, with more than 400,000 mishap free flight-hours around the globe. Militaries that operate or have selected the P-8 include the US Navy, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Indian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy and German Navy.
The company also said that since the P-8 shares extensive commonality with Boeing’s 737NG, which has support infrastructure around the globe, Commonality in spares and training for aircrews and maintainers would reduce costs and enable military operators to leverage support throughout the world.
The Royal Canadian Air Force has used the Aurora aircraft since the 1980s for for multiple types of missions over land and water. Thanks to repeated upgrades, the 14 aircraft support a wide variety of roles, including operations management, maritime and overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, strike coordination, and search and rescue.
The most recent upgrade project, in which the Canadian government is investing close to CAD2 billion, will allow the planes to remain in service beyond 2030.
