Boeing developing 737-based replacement for famed P-3 Orion ASM aircraft

Back in the 1980's, when General Motors announced that it would purchase the Hughes Aircraft Company, it didn't take long for complete, detailed drawings of the Attack Corvette to make their way throughout the company's facilities. It was said that the concept was considered as a viable DOD project -- albeit for a very short time.

It's over three decades later, and its deja vu all over again, except the customer is the Navy and Boeing is the engineer tasked with coming up with a replacement for the famous P-3 Orion Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft. Last June, Boeing was awarded a contract to build seven aircraft. Actually, they were awarded a contract to build seven very special aircraft -- 737's, with very, very big teeth.

What Boeing is building has already been designated as the MMA, or Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft. As with the P-3 Orion, and it's British counterpart, the Nimrod, it will be equipped with sensors, anti-submarine radar, an infrared camera and a magnetic anomaly detection system. The systems in the aircraft will be integrated through five consoles that will present all the information gathered, in real time.

It's a Southwest's pilot's wildest dream: two engines, a control wheel, throttle quadrant and Harpoon missiles hanging from underwing hardpoints, backed up by a baggage compartment full of goodies like torpedoes, mines, depth charges and a refueling probe so you don't have to go get more quarters to extend the fun.

The aircraft is currently undergoing wind tunnel testing that will gather 3,000 hours of data to validate such things as the ability to carry external weapons stores. The first flight of the MMA is scheduled for 2008, and first deliveries for 2009, with the aircraft entering fleet service in 2013. The deal is worth $20 billion for over 100 of the aircraft, to replace the 300 or so P-3 Orion variants currently in service. The aircraft will be built in the company's Renton (WA) facility, from which they will be flown to Oregon for completion and delivery.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.navair.navy.mil