Setting Its Course

The number of aircraft the U.S. Navy intends to buy to replace P-3s has dwindled to about 100 and could drop further as the service offloads mission to unmanned aircraft and the Army-led Aerial Common Sensor (ACS).

The number of Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) the Navy would buy to replace more than 220 P-3s has dropped over time, most significantly when the service eliminated the EP-3's signals intelligence mission, although service officials were still considering 150 aircraft for maritime patrol. But the idea of having a UAV adjunct "brings that number way down," says Cdr. Michael Hewitt, the Navy's MMA requirements officer. Moreover, he acknowledged, 100 aircraft "is just the opening argument." The total "could shift even lower."

Navy officials also are refocusing the aircraft's role, after the P-3 community in recent years watched its mission migrate from anti-submarine warfare to overland targeting. MMA's core role will be anti-submarine warfare, stresses Rear Adm. Mark P. Fitzgerald, the service's air warfare director. Overland targeting will be taken up by UAVs, either a low-flying tactical system or the high-flying Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) system the service hopes to buy soon. Although special operations forces have indicated they'd much rather work with a P-3-type aircraft than an unmanned system, Fitzgerald stressed that overland targeting "is not a core area" for the system.

SENIOR SERVICE OFFICIALS earlier this year convened an anti-submarine warfare summit to review the Navy's efforts in this area. They determined that the growing number of quiet diesel submarines requires renewed attention. "We have to rededicate ourselves," with a focus on training and technology, says Adm. Walter F. Doran, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

On the signals intelligence front, the Navy is content to have the Army lead the development of the joint collection aircraft. The two versions will use the same airframe--still to be selected--although onboard software may differ as each service is interested in culling for information slightly different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, notes Fitzgerald. The Navy will fund part of ACS' development, although some of those details will still need to be defined.

To reduce cost, the Navy plans to have its ACS pilots train with the Army, rather than in a separate operation. Because the mission equipment, including workstations, will also be common, even signals intelligence operators may train together, with certain special courses focusing on each service's particular needs, he suggested. Moreover, where possible, the Army and Navy will share bases. Nevertheless, the Navy will still have dedicated ACS aircraft, rather than just a common pool.

The Navy will now benefit from the Army's stringent requirement for pinpointing hostile emitters. However, while the Army typically uses multiple sigint aircraft to triangulate the location of a radar or communications site, the Navy plans to stick with its practice of using mainly one aircraft, with ships or other systems, including satellites, providing additional inputs. The Army in recent years also has started cross-cuing sigint aircraft and satellites.

The Navy has committed to maintaining a force of 12 EP-3Es until ACS is fielded starting in 2009. How many ACSs it buys will depend on what aircraft is selected, Fitzgerald noted, although the projected range is 12-19.

The move to two aircraft types--with both slated to have open systems architectures that should allow sensors to be replaced relatively easily--is driving a Navy decision to eventually disband its two special-purpose squadrons, VPU-1 and VPU-2. The units operate six modified P-3s that have served as a development platform for special P-3 and EP-3 sensors. But the units will no longer be needed once MMA and ACS are fielded, Fitzgerald argues, since sensors can be easily fitted to the new systems. The two VPU squadrons have performed highly classified operational roles that in the future would fall to replacement aircraft, mainly ACS, he noted. The six aircraft won't be retired precipitously, but will not be replaced when end-of-service life is reached.

With the MMA debate now largely resolved, the service is focusing on moving the program forward. As part of that effort, the Navy is trying to boost MMA funding in the Fiscal 2005 budget, having realized its 2004 estimate was low. The service next Spring plans to pick either Boeing's 737-700-based MMA candidate, or Lockheed Martin's Orion21. The Fiscal 2004 budget plan includes about $3.7 billion for MMA development and initial production.

The aircraft are to start fielding in 2012, although service officials would consider using aircraft early with a more limited capability if the opportunity exists. The use-rate for P-3s has been extremely high, and there is some concern the service could suffer a shortage before MMAs are fielded in sufficient numbers. Fitzgerald hopes the situation will be ameliorated by fielding of the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance UAV about 2008, which should reduce P-3 workload. The Navy hopes to get Pentagon approval for BAMS development next spring, around the time MMA is to move forward. There are also "good financial reasons" to field MMA as quickly as possible, because maintaining P-3s is becoming increasingly expensive.