P-9A Pale Ale Characteristics
The P-9A PALE ALE is an advanced Detection and Monitoring (D&M) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) that uses a heavily modified De Havilland DHC-8 (“Dash 8”) Q202 airframe. The system is owned by Air Combat Command (ACC) and used by United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) to mitigate the gaps in their D&M area of responsibility. The Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) asset detects and monitors illicit trafficking while flying over 7,200 hours per year.