Boeing enhances P‑8 Poseidon with long-range anti-ship missiles
Boeing integrates the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft with the long-range anti-ship missiles AGM-158C LRASM. These stealthy missiles have a range of approximately 370 kilometres, and when combined with an aircraft capable of multi-hour patrols and flights over distances of several thousand kilometres, this combination will be a significant asset for the Pentagon in the event of a potential conflict with China.
Boeing announced the ongoing work on integrating LRASM missiles with the P-8 Poseidon aircraft. During a demonstration preceding the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing representatives outlined plans for further development of the Poseidon aircraft.
The P-8 Poseidon is a maritime patrol aircraft built on the platform of the Boeing 737 passenger jet. First flown in 2009, the aircraft was developed to replace the aging P-3 Orion and has been adopted by the armed forces of several countries, including the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Although the Poseidon was initially developed as a patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, it continues to evolve, and its capabilities are expanding. It can already carry Harpoon anti-ship missiles, but the manufacturer's ambitions—and the Pentagon's needs—reach much further.
P-8 Poseidon as a maritime strike aircraft
Recently, Boeing tested its aircraft with a new multi-role pod, enabling the Poseidon to carry additional sensors tailored to the user's needs.
Regardless of the optional equipment, the aircraft's main asset remains the multifunctional AN/APY-10 long-range radar. Thanks to this radar, the aircraft can not only detect surface objects from a distance of hundreds of kilometres but can also track submarine periscopes, detect terrain, and locate objects on land.
The ability to detect targets from very long distances is now complemented by the capability to destroy them independently. The Poseidon can carry up to four LRASM missiles – a stealthy, maritime variant of the JASSM missiles – with a range of 370 kilometres, each carrying a 450-kilogram warhead.
Their effectiveness was confirmed by a test conducted by the U.S. Navy in early April 2024. Four simultaneously launched LRASM missiles executed a coordinated attack on a target protected by advanced air and missile defence systems during the test.
Although specific details were not disclosed, the statement issued after the test reported the achievement of all planned objectives and confirmed the new weapon's high effectiveness.
