Is there a way to put Sidewinders on a P-8?
“Is there a way to put Sidewinders on a P-8?”
Technologically,there is NO reason that sidewinders or for that matter AMMRAM’s on a jet of that size.
I just think that they don’t arm them so that our potential enemies don’t consider them to be a threat.
I think that should change or they should have a combat air patrol of F-18’s flying where ever those planes go.
The predecessor of the P-8 (two generations ago), the P2-V, carried 5" Zuni rockets for holing the hulls of surfaced enemy subs. The Israelis (I'm told) used to equip Sikorsky CH-53D helos with Shrike anti-radiation missile and hunt Arab anti-aircraft radars.
Back in the '70's we ran air-to-air trials at China Lake of a CH-53 with (simulated) Sidewinders against all the fighters in our inventory. 50% kills
Arming a P-8 should not be a problem. Having a few F/A-18 Hornets around is a MUCH better solution.
5 internal and 6 external stations for AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER, AGM-84 Harpoon, Mark 54 torpedo, missiles, mines, torpedoes, bombs, and a High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon system
I have serious doubts they fly unarmed, other than Marines with sidearms to kill the NSA types when it goes down...