Boeing P-8 - the P3K2 Orion Replacement

[Deleted]

That's an interesting wrinkle for sure. Some imagery of the Global Challenger 6000 Swordfish I've found online:

Saab

Think Defence

Datasheet on Saab's website link

[Dave Homewood]

Can they drop a Lindholme from that without it going through an engine?

[conman]

So its only a concept aircraft , who would pay for all the development and systems integration ? Can't see it being a serious contender

[skyhawkdon]

Yeah just kite flying. Would be a bad choice for NZ.

[Dave Homewood]

I'l bet the politicians would think it would make a great VIP barge for their fat arses though...

[dutchkiwi]

Come on guys... I just post some news here. Not saying this is the right aircraft, just to keep the topic alive.

Cheers all.

[Deleted]

Thanks DK, I appreciate it (and have bookmarked the page to check further news from Avalon).

Through reading Saab's stuff the Swordfish system can also be fitted to a Q400 - so again we have the argument of converted passenger/executive aircraft v. purpose-built options.

[Dave Homewood]

The converted passenger airliner route is exactly what No. 5 Squadron do not want.

[Deleted]

Even though technically the P3, P8 and many others are airliner conversions...?

[ErrolC]

They obviously favour the P-1!

[Dave Homewood]

The P-8 is actually considerably different from the airliner that spawned it. Different wings for a start, apparently. It was purpose designed for military maritime patrol operations, but utilising some common parts with the Boeing airliner, from what I understand.

[dutchkiwi]

Mar 2, 2017 7:59:52 GMT 12 @zacyates said:

Thanks DK, I appreciate it (and have bookmarked the page to check further news from Avalon).

Through reading Saab's stuff the Swordfish system can also be fitted to a Q400 - so again we have the argument of converted passenger/executive aircraft v. purpose-built options.

You're welcome. Interesting to see how many options are offered to have a deal done with NZ. I can't wait the final decision.

Cheers.

[Deleted]

The fuselage of the P-8 is also different structurally for low-level operation - it's essentially a new aircraft that just happens to have started as a modified 737.

[conman]

I believe that the engines are also significantly different from the commercial versions to be more efficient at lower flight levels and salt spray corrosion tolerant, makes you wonder whether it has much synergy from a maintenance / parts perspective with stock 737's or is it basically a different aircraft that kind of looks like a 737

[beagle]

there is nothing out there to suit our requirements other than P8. full gone conclusion. Get used to it.

[conman]

As there are some years to run before the P3's are retired there is no rush with a decision anyway, unless a buyer can be found for the aircraft and an earlier transition made, the P8 and P1 are the only realistic options given range / environment requirements, will probably come down to who is still in production (as in the C17 scenario) and political considerations and package deals.

[Dave Homewood]

There's not as long as you think, they are fast running out of spare parts to support the P-3's since the US Navy has been withdrawing their's and Lockheed is no longer making spares. They really need to replace them very soon or we'll end up with a big gap like the Poms have had.

[htbrst]

Mar 3, 2017 14:48:15 GMT 12 conman said:

As there are some years to run before the P3's are retired there is no rush with a decision anyway,

It's more of a rush if you want a P-8 - ideally those need to be ordered in late 2017 maybe mid 2018, hence the recent Indian, Norwegian etc orders. In this Jan 2017 update, the Boeing man has production ending in 2022 under current orders though as a salesman he was predicting more foreign orders It becomes easier to push to procurement the right if the P-8 does get more orders, but if that doesn't happen they need to be ordered soon.

US Navy production funding ends in 2019. Late 2017 is creeping up fast already

[beagle]

Mar 3, 2017 10:20:25 GMT 12 conman said:

I believe that the engines are also significantly different from the commercial versions to be more efficient at lower flight levels and salt spray corrosion tolerant, makes you wonder whether it has much synergy from a maintenance / parts perspective with stock 737's or is it basically a different aircraft that kind of looks like a 737

where do you get these beliefs from

[beagle]

Mar 3, 2017 14:48:15 GMT 12 conman said:

As there are some years to run before the P3's are retired there is no rush with a decision anyway, unless a buyer can be found for the aircraft and an earlier transition made, the P8 and P1 are the only realistic options given range / environment requirements, will probably come down to who is still in production (as in the C17 scenario) and political considerations and package deals.

P1 will be waste of time. we'll be orphans and when it comes to spares, training, upgrades etc, so much better options with P8.

The NZMOD, Boeing, all know our circumstances. They will be talking regulary about things such as how they are going with production rates etc etc. It will be the usa who decides who we sell our aircraft to etc, and cannot see any buyers out there and will most probably be parked up in desert like RAAF ones awaiting the wrecking ball.