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Boeing targets P-3 operators for MSA

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posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 01:39 PM
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Speaking at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition, Boeing has said that they will target current P-3 operators for their MSA platform. The MSA is based on a Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft. The say that a platform like the Challenger can get on station, and remain on station longer than an aircraft such as the P-3. The ideal target operators have economic zones of roughly 170nm.

The aircraft is currently undergoing testing on a Challenger 604 platform in Yuma, AZ. The first flight was on Feb 28th, after modifications were performed at Field Aviation. Flight testing will end this year, with production to start next year. Boeing says that they have targeted 20-30 potential customers.


Boeing’s maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA), which is based on a Bombardier Challenger 605 platform, will be an ideal aircraft for countries that already operate Lockheed P-3 Orions, the company says.

Speaking at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition near Washington DC, company officials add that potential customers will also be countries in the Asia-Pacific and Persian Gulf.

“Likely customers are going to be [countries] with a challenging maritime environment,” says Jeff Brown, Boeing’s director of business development for electronic and information solutions. He adds that the MSA will be an ideal platform for performing surveillance of economic maritime zones within roughly 170nm (320km) of coasts.

“A plane like the Challenger can get to station quickly and spend a longer amount of time there” than turboprop-driven alternatives like the P-3, says Brown.

www.flightglobal.com...



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 01:47 PM
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Looks a lot like a private jet in the link photo. Is that something akin to the big jet we have with the radar dish thingy on top?



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 01:54 PM
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reply to post by tinner07
 


They're adding maritime sensors, such as surface search radar, FLIR, and others to what starts out as a Business Jet. It's the rough equivalent of the new P-8A Poseidon. It's smaller, and doesn't have the same sensor suite as the Poseidon, but that's kind of the point. It gives them equivalent capabilities, for a much lower cost to buy, operate, and maintain. Where the Poseidon has a crew of five sensor operators, this can operate with two to three.

The one you are thinking of is the E-3 AWACS. They control other aircraft, and watch for incoming aircraft. This, and the P-8 search for ships and submarines.
edit on 4/8/2014 by Zaphod58 because: (no reason given)



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 02:46 PM
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reply to post by Zaphod58
 


Wouldn't targeting current P-3 operators take potential sales away from the P-8? Kind of seams like the P-8 and the MSA are competing for the same customer base.



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 02:56 PM
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Not to sound stupid, just ignorant...what is a maritime sensor? the jet in the pic in your response is pretty big. What are the shark fin things looking up?

And yes was an EWAC i mentioned. i feel dumb not remembering that.

Not to derail your thread but what you think of the mini space shuttle up in orbit over 500 days now?



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 02:57 PM
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reply to post by Sammamishman
 


It's a numbers game. They might sell 2-3 P-8s, but the same customer might buy 5-6 MSA platforms. The lifecycle cost of one Poseidon could cover a couple MSAs.



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 04:03 PM
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Interesting that Boeing would use another aircraft company's plane to develop this MSA. I guess they have nothing of a suitable airframe size.



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 04:07 PM
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Aren't the P-3 and P-8 programs pretty secretive?



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 04:12 PM
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That looks small enough to park on an Aircraft Carrier, or is my size-guessing off?



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 04:15 PM
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reply to post by MystikMushroom
 


Not really. Sensor specifics can be, but other than the EP-3 they aren't secret.



posted on Apr, 8 2014 @ 04:17 PM
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reply to post by erwalker
 


The smallest platform Boeing makes is the 737, which is the P-8A.




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