Sophisticated Aircraft P-8 Poseidon US Navy Locator KRI Nanggala-402

US Navy P-8 Poseidon illustration (dock Boeing)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) sent the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon to Indonesia. This sophisticated aircraft will assist in the search for the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine, which has yet to be found in the Bali Sea.

Citing Boeing's official website, the P-8 Poseidon is designed to carry out multi-mission maritime patrols. The specialty of this aircraft can detect submarines, intelligence missions and search and rescue efforts.

The P-8 can fly to over 41,000 feet at a cruising speed of 490 knots. The aircraft is equipped with two CFM56-7 engines which can generate 27,000 lbf of thrust.

The size of this US Navy flagship aircraft reaches 129.5 feet or about 39.47 meters. With a wingspan that has a length of 123.6 feet or about 37.64 meters.

By design, the P-8 Poseidon is a customized version of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft. The technology embedded in this aircraft can detect movement in deep water, including penetrating the ice sheet.

Mission P-8 Poseidon

So far, several countries have P-8 Poseidon aircraft. The P-8I variant, now flown by the Indian Navy; and the P-8A Poseidon, used by the US Navy, Australian Air Force and British Royal Air Force.

Reported by Reuters, the P-8 Poseidon is a flagship US aircraft that has carried out many missions. Including an intelligence mission that monitors military activity in the South China Sea.

This aircraft was also involved in the search for Malaysia Airlines MH-370, in 2014. The P-8 Poseidon was also involved in searching for the SS El Faro cargo ship which sank on October 1, 2015.