Boeing to Develop US Navy Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft

The US Navy awarded Boeing a $3.89 billion contract for the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (also known as MMA) as the replacement for aging P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft fleet.

This contract will cover development and demonstration phase activities until June 2012 when funds will expire. The MMA program has been envisaged by US Navy officials as a key component of Sea Power 21 Sea Shield concept as well as the only way to secure America's long range maritime patrol asset.

The MMA platform will provide networked intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in addition to anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities provided by current long range maritime patrol aircraft. US Navy's FORCEnet common undersea picture will also benefit from the new platform achieving the sea dominance goal for the United States of America.

The total program estimated value is approximately $20 billion including a 10-year production run. Boeing is leading a team comprising CFM International (50/50 Snecma and General Electric), Northrop-Grumman, Raytheon and Smiths Aerospace.

During the SDD phase seven test aircraft will be produced and up to 108 aircraft could be purchased by the US Navy during the production phase to replace its current fleet of 223 P-3 aircraft. The Boeing MMA solution based on the proven 737 twin-engine jetliner will represent a dramatic increase in capability and reliability compared to current P-3 aircraft.

CFM International will provide the CFM56-7 engines that will power the 737 MMA. Each CFM56-7B27A engine is rated at 27,300 pounds of takeoff thrust and they will support MMA's demanding requirements for electrical output to support flight deck and mission system operations. The same engine also powers the C-40 Clipper transport aircraft and the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Northrop-Grumman will provide the electro-optical/infrared EO/IR sensors, the directional infrared countermeasures system, and the electronic measures support system.

Raytheon will provide an upgraded AN/APS-137 maritime surveillance radar and signals intelligence (SIGINT) system. It is also offering its GPS anti-jam module, towed decoy countermeasures, integrated IFF, and the aircraft's integrated Broadcast Info System (BIS) and secure UHF SATCOM capability.

Smiths Aerospace supplies both flight management and stores management systems. The Flight management system provides an integrated open architecture for future growth. The stores management system allows to accommodate current and future weaponry.

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