Boeing Receives Contract for Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft Program
The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] one of two contracts for Component Advanced Development, or CAD, of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft, or MMA program. The contract is valued at almost $7 million.
"We are very excited about having the opportunity to provide a solution ideally suited to the new era in maritime patrol and reconnaissance aviation," said Jack Zerr, program manager for multi-mission aircraft programs at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems group. "The Navy isn't just looking for a platform replacement for its aging P-3 fleet, but a total system approach for preserving maritime surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities. We see the MMA program as an opportunity to help shape the future of naval aviation and to move one step closer to a joint network centric architecture."
During CAD Phase I, contractors are expected to validate risk mitigations for each concept via modeling and simulation; define and select system architecture; and refine system requirements, validate the operational requirements document, seek source selection for system development and demonstration, and develop milestone-B acquisition documentation.
Once this five-month effort is complete, the Navy will choose two or three preferred concepts to be carried forward into CAD Phase II. These concepts will then be further refined and will form the basis of competitive proposals for a single contract award for MMA System Development and Demonstration (SDD), expected in early 2004.
In meeting the Navy's requirement, the Boeing offering will bring advantages in aircraft performance, mission system performance, total ownership cost reduction, return-on-investment and will support the Navy's move to transformational war fighting concepts. The offering consists of a Next Generation 737-700 increased gross-weight aircraft militarized with maritime weapons, modern open-mission-system architecture, transformational employment concepts and commercial-like support for affordability.
"We believe our offering will give warfighters the flexibility they need for the integrated battlefield of the future," explained Zerr.
The Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft program is intended to replace the P-3C and EP-3E aircraft. The P-3C aircraft provides the U.S. Navy with strategic blue water and littoral undersea warfare capabilities and performs armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions. The EP-3 aircraft engages in the collection of signals intelligence, indications and warnings and information warfare.
The Boeing Company is the world's largest manufacturer of satellites, commercial jetliners and military aircraft. In terms of sales, Boeing is the largest exporter in the United States. Total company revenues for 2001 were $58 billion.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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