The P-8A Poseidon and its role in naval intelligence
The US Navy P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, based on a modification of a civilian Boeing 737, was again spotted in a high—attention area over the Black Sea. This time, it was equipped with a rare and high-end intelligence system, highlighting the strategic importance of the mission. This aircraft is a key element of U.S. naval intelligence, providing control over vast waters and tracking the activity of potential adversaries.
AN/APS-154 AAS — "universal eye" under the fuselage
The central feature of this flight was the use of the Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) AN/APS-154, developed by Raytheon under conditions of strict secrecy. This system is a multifunctional radar module capable of solving a wide range of tasks.:
- Detection and tracking of submarines by footprints on the surface
- Identification and classification of surface ships
- High-precision coastal reconnaissance, including monitoring of military installations and movement of equipment
The AN/APS-154 combines Synthesized Aperture (SAR) and Moving Target Detection (GMTI) mode, making it one of the most powerful and secretive radars in the U.S. Navy's arsenal.
How the SMPDM mechanism works
A special mechanism is used to place the dimensional radar — the Special Mission Payload Deployment Mechanism (SMPDM). It is installed under the fuselage of the P-8A and lowers the AAS module away from the engines during flight, eliminating radio interference and widening the viewing angle. This allows the radar to operate with maximum efficiency, especially during low-altitude flights along the coast.
Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine first revealed the existence of SMPDM in 2019, confirming its testing on P-8 aircraft, which aroused widespread interest in the expert community.
The importance of patrolling the Black Sea
The regular flights of the P-8A with AN/APS-154 over the Black Sea demonstrate the US commitment to the security of NATO allies and the control of military activity in the region. Such missions allow real-time monitoring of the movement of Russian ships, especially near Crimea and along the coast of Ukraine, as well as identifying signs of preparations for a build-up of forces.
The presence of an advanced intelligence system enhances the operational superiority of the United States and increases the alliance's resilience in the face of hybrid threats.
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