Boeing Receives Contract for Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft Program
The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a contract for a second phase of the Component Advanced Development, or CAD, of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft, or MMA, program. The contract is valued at $20.5 million.
"The MMA program is vital to our national defense and an integral part of the Navy's war fighting and transformational strategy for the 21st century," said Jack Zerr, program manager for multi-mission aircraft programs at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "We have a talented, dedicated and hard-working team that will meet and surpass the Navy's CAD requirements for this program."
Boeing received a contract for CAD Phase I in September 2002. During Phase I, Boeing validated air vehicle performance and developed and analyzed mission system parameters, including surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities. During the fourth quarter of 2002, Boeing took a 737-700 Boeing Business Jet on a nine-stop, 17-day tour of the United States. The tour exposed the Navy to the 737, and demonstrated its maneuverability and suitability for the MMA mission. At each of the nine stops Navy pilots flew the 737, while other associated Navy personnel accompanied the flights. In addition, Boeing completed an international flight demonstration stopping at three U.S. and allied military bases in Europe.
During CAD Phase II, Boeing will develop and demonstrate key features of the mission system including systems architecture, software, displays and sensors, along with additional air vehicle performance analysis. The Navy plans to award a single contract for MMA System Development and Demonstration, or SDD, in early 2004.
The Boeing proposal consists of a Next-Generation 737-700 increased gross weight aircraft militarized with maritime weapons, open mission system architecture, and commercial-like support for affordability.
"We believe our solution is dramatically ahead of any other concept in terms of operation, support, cost and overall performance," explained Zerr. "During CAD II we will deliver on our promise," explained Zerr.
The MMA program is intended to replace the P-3C and EP-3E aircraft. The P-3C aircraft provides the United States Navy with strategic blue water and littoral undersea warfare capabilities, and performs armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions. The Navy uses EP-3 aircraft for collection of signals intelligence, indications and warnings, and information warfare.
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 $25 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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03-19
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