GRAHAM WARWICK & PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC & PETER LA FRANCHI / CANBERRA
Three bid for US Navy's Lockheed Martin P-3 replacement, with final selection scheduled for early 2004
Australia is looking to re-enter the US Navy's Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) programme, with funded participation in the development phase being considered. Funding shortfalls forced it to withdraw from observer status on MMA two years ago, but Australia has begun talks on rejoining as the USN prepares to award initial contracts for the Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion replacement.
There have been three bids, with BAE Systems going it alone with a proposal based on the Nimrod MRA4 after failing to secure a US partner. Boeing and Lockheed Martin have submitted proposals for the initial component advanced development (CAD) phase based on the 737 and P-3, respectively.
The US Navy is expected to award CAD contracts to all three competitors by July. The six-month first phase will finalise the platform configurations and will be followed by a 12-month phase to define detailed specifications. Selection of the winning contractor is scheduled for early 2004, and initial operational capability is planned for 2010-12. The USN wants two versions: the SA to replace maritime patrol P-3Cs; and the SI to succeed electronic-intelligence EP-3Es.
Boeing's proposed MMA is based on the increased gross weight 737-700, modified with a forward-fuselage weapons bay and underwing stores stations. Lockheed Martin is proposing a new-production P-3, re-engined and with a digital flightdeck. Avionics and engine suppliers will be selected during CAD Phase 1, the company says.
BAE is the only foreign-owned company allowed to bid as prime contractor. EADS dropped out after failing to persuade Lockheed Martin to offer an Airbus A320-based MMA. BAE had previously said it wanted to find a US partner before bidding, and says it will still need to find a principal subcontractor to produce the Nimrod in the USA if it is selected.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin are seen as possible partners for BAE if unsuccessful with their own offerings. Other potential partners include L-3 Communications and Northrop Grumman, neither of which have bid as prime contractor. Northrop Grumman is working with all three teams on how the MMA would operate with a maritime surveillance variant of its RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV).
The USA and Australia are seeking a mix of manned aircraft and UAVs. Australia plans to refurbish or replace its AP-3C Orion fleet from 2007, but also intends to buy Global Hawks in 2004 to provide maritime surveillance support. "We are re-engaging with the Americans [on MMA], and also with them looking at the mixture of manned and unmanned capability," says Maj Gen David Hurley, head of capability systems at Australian Defence Headquarters.
Source: Flight International
