The US Navy has launched studies into a replacement for its Lockheed P-3 maritime-patrol aircraft. Industry was briefed in late January on plans to field a Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) by 2015, to replace the Navy's land-based P-3s, electronic-intelligence EP-3Es, submarine-communications Boeing E-6s and tanker/transport Lockheed Martin C-130s.
The Navy is inviting international participation in a two-year requirements study begun in late 1997. Australia is believed to have signed up, with Canada, the Netherlands and Norway - all P-3 operators - expected to join.
The study will define requirements for the MMMA and could lead to the award of concept exploration and demonstration contracts as early as 2000, but more likely by 2002.
Industry sources say that the Navy is looking at options ranging from remanufactured P-3s to an all-new aircraft. New-build P-3s, a modified commercial airliner and a derivative of the planned carrier-based Common Support Aircraft (CSA) are also being examined.
A two-year requirements study into the CSA, intended to replace the Navy's Lockheed S-3s and ES-3s and Northrop Grumman E-2s and C-2s, has just been completed. Concept studies are expected to begin soon, and the CSA is planned to enter service in 2013.
Japan is already studying a P-3 replacement and this will also be evaluated by the Navy, industry sources say. The Japanese are looking at a four-engine turbofan as a potential replacement for Orions.
The Navy will also study the use of unmanned air-vehicles (UAVs) for at least part of the MMMA mission, sources say. A UAV option is also being proposed as a potential candidate to meet the CSA mission requirement alongside a variety of crewed aircraft.
Source: Flight International
