P-8 Series

The P-8 Series budget line item (LI 0586) within the Department of the Navy's Aircraft Procurement appropriation focuses on the modification and upgrade of the P-8A Poseidon fleet. The P-8A is a militarized derivative of the Boeing 737-800, designed for broad area maritime and littoral armed multi-mission support, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The primary objectives of this budget line are to ensure the continued operational effectiveness, safety, and longevity of the P-8A fleet through targeted system upgrades, safety enhancements, and structural improvements.

CNO Project K-0416 (OSIP 002-15) is a key component of this line item, providing a rapid response ASW intelligence collection, analysis, and reporting system. The program is focused on collecting and analyzing acoustic intelligence on threat submarines, both conventional and nuclear, using advanced avionics and calibrated sensors. The suite includes specialized equipment such as modulation meters, toughbooks, and automated test sets, which are installed on P-8 mission kits. The Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), Patuxent River, serves as the prime performer, responsible for system integration, material acquisition, fabrication, and installation. The goal is to enhance tactical and scientific intelligence capabilities for both operational and research purposes.

P-8A Mission Systems RCI (OSIP 006-18) is the largest funding element and addresses mission systems upgrades to maintain and enhance the P-8A's ASW, ASuW, and ISR sea control capabilities. The most significant effort under this program is the Increment 3 (Spiral 2) modification, which includes Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) 6/7. These upgrades involve improvements to the combat system architecture, enhancements to ASW and ASuW sensors, upgraded communication capabilities, higher-than-secret security features, and the integration of Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) technology for enhanced wide-area ASW search.

The program also supports urgent fleet requirements, reliability improvements, technology insertions, and the correction of deficiencies, ensuring the P-8A remains effective against evolving global threats.

The P-8A Aircraft Systems (OSIP 001-19) line funds modifications aimed at improving aircrew safety, modernizing the airframe, engines, weapons, and stores, and enhancing the sonobuoy launch system. This includes structural enhancements necessary for the airframe to reach or extend its designed service life. The program also addresses readiness issues, obsolescence, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), and emergent safety modifications. Modifications are implemented through Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and support both temporary and permanent Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRC), as well as fleet-prioritized requirements.

In addition, the Inactive OSIPs category accounts for prior year investments in modifications that are no longer active but remain part of the overall program cost structure. These funds represent completed or phased-out projects and do not require additional funding in the current budget year.

The FY 2026 request for the P-8 Series line item reflects a balanced approach to sustaining and modernizing the fleet. The request includes reductions in advisory and assistance services and civilian personnel costs in alignment with executive orders focused on government efficiency and workforce optimization. Quantities and funding allocations vary across the different efforts, depending on the timing of modifications and their integration into the production line or retrofit schedule.