Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
The US Navy has launched the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) programme study to determine whether to replace or modernise its ageing fleet of 251 Lockheed Martin P-3/EP-3s, as Germany, Italy and South Korea embark on searches for new maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
Boeing has been awarded the first of four MMA study contracts by Naval Air Systems Command. The other three studies, each five months long, will be performed by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.
Options being explored include: developing a MPA version of the Boeing 737; the production of new P-3Cs or remanufacture by either Lockheed Martin or Raytheon of existing aircraft; and the supplemental use of unmanned air vehicles (UAV) such as the Northrop Grumman RQ-4AGlobal Hawk.
"The Office of the Secretary of Defence believes there is a future in UAV," says Cdr Al Easterling, MMA deputy programme manager, "but whether this is now or not has to be determined. We are not at a point where there could be a stand-alone solution, but rather to augment manned platforms."
The USN has stipulated that MMA's non-recurring costs should not exceed $800 million and each aircraft should cost under $55 million. The navy hopes to secure initial funding in 2004, with an initial operating capability goal of 2015.
Easterling expects the first downselect towards the end of the year and the results will be merged with a wider MMA analysis of alternatives now under way. The Centre of Naval Analysis study includes the use of high-speed business aircraft such as the Gulfstream V, satellites, or using other existing intelligence platforms more effectively.
MMA is being watched closely by international P-3 users, including Japan, which has a requirement for up to 80 replacement MPAs. Industry is also expecting Germany and Italy to release a joint request for proposals by the end of the year for 24 replacements for their Dassault Dornier Atlantic Is.
Raytheon plans to propose its newly named P-3 Procyon modernisation both for MMA and the German/Italian requirement. The upgrade would include a zero hour fuselage, new-build wings and horizontal stabiliser, a two-man glass cockpit, new propulsion, power distribution, digital fuel control and a choice of tactical sensors.
The German and Italian aircraft would be drawn from around 50 stored P-3s. "South Korea is also interested in eight more aircraft and we're in discussions with them about buying and refurbishing some from the desert," says James Burkhardt, Raytheon Aircraft's integration systems manager.
Source: Flight International
