Patrol bomber

A patrol bomber, or patrol aircraft, is an airplane designed to operate for long times over water in an anti-shipping or anti-submarine role.

Sensors

Maritime patrol aircraft are typically fitted with a wide range of sensors:

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• Radar to detect surface shipping movements;
• Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) to detect submarine movements. The MAD is typically mounted on an extension from the tail of the aircraft in order to minimize the aircraft's magnetic field interference towards the MAD;
• Sonobuoy dropped from the aircraft onto the sea to detect submarine movements, then transmit the data back to the aircraft;
• ELINT sensors to monitor civilian and military telecommunications;
• Infrared camera, as well as old-fashioned search light, are also useful in monitoring shipping movements.

A maritime patrol aircraft typically carries a dozen or so crew members, including relief flight crews, in order to effectively operate all the equipments for up to 12 hours at a time.

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