|
|
|
| Specifications: | |
| Length: |
126.5 ft |
| Height: |
42.1 ft |
| Wingspan: |
117.5 ft |
| Max Fuel Capacity: |
75,169 lbs |
| Weight Dry: |
146,600 lbs |
| Taxi Weight: |
184,700 lbs |
| Max Cruise Altitude: |
41,000 ft |
| Max Cruise Speed: |
490 KTAS |
| Max Range Cruise Speed: |
440 KTAS |
| Engines: |
2-CFM567B (27K lbs thrust each) |
The U.S. Navy wishes to find a long term replacement for the aging P-3C Orien Maritime Patrol Craft. 
The
original aircraft has served well past its intended lifetime and has
been modified extensively for additional missions beyond its original
design. The
P-3 was a turboprop aircraft, and while economical, especially when two
engines are feathered, the aircraft's age and refurbishment costs limit
its future usefulness.
As a result, the Navy has let a development contract. Boeing
aircraft's modified 737 design has won the contract, providing plenty
of manufacturing capability in the use of a commercial aircraft frame.
The new aircraft will feature the CFM manufactured engines with over
30 million hours, and the internal avionics are fully modernized with
glass cockpit and an open architecture for ease of future enhancements
as well as adaption to the multi-mission role.
The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a contract for phase I of Component Advanced
Development (CAD) of the MMA program in September 2002 and a contract
for phase II in February 2003. In June of 2004, the company won the award to take the aircraft to production.
Boeing Product File (PDF: 111KB)