The
first five P-3C Orion antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and maritime surveillance
aircraft modified with enhanced networking capability have been delivered
to the U.S. Navy. The C4 (command, control, communications and computers)
for ASW program and other upgrades of the four-engine Lockheed Martin
turboprop are designed to bridge the capability gap with the P-3’s
replacement, the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, which is scheduled to enter service
in 2013.
Fifty more P-3s will receive the C4 for ASW modification, according
to the Naval Air Systems Command (Navair), which lists an inventory
of 157 P-3Cs. The modification includes Link 16 datalink, Inmarsat encrypted
broadband satellite communications and Windows-based integrated tactical
picture display. Link 16 provides for connectivity and data sharing
with other Navy and NATO units; the satcom mod provides transmission
of Internet protocol data and eventually will enable streaming full
motion video, Navair said. |
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Navair's PMA-290 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance
Aircraft program office “took over the lead integration role for
a failing program” and delivered the C4 capability on schedule,
it said. Cmdr. Nagel Sullivan, P-3 mission system integrated product
team lead, said the modification helps mitigate risk in the P-8A introduction
“because a lot of the things the P-3 figures out in the Link 16/Inmarsat
concept of operations will help refine the P-8A concept of operations.”
Earlier this year, Navair started delivering the first of 74 P-3Cs with
an upgraded acoustic system. The acoustic receiver technology refresh
enhances the aircraft’s ability to receive and analyze sonobuoy
data. Both the P-3C and P-8A will receive a second-phase acoustic processor
technology refresh by 2014.
Meanwhile, Boeing has delivered four flight-test Poseidons to the Naval
Air Station at Patuxent River, Md. The Navy announced the first launch
of a Raytheon MK 54 torpedo from the aircraft on October 13 during a
test event in the Atlantic Test Range. The first low-rate initial production
Poseidon made its first flight July 7 at Renton Field in Washington,
and will be delivered to the Navy at Jacksonville, Fla., in 2012, Boeing
said.
From: Navair, Ainonline
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