USN takes next step with P-3 replacement

US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) hopes to award between two and
four
contracts next month (June), with a total value of US$30 million, for
Phase I of
the component advanced development (CAD) stage of its Multi-mission
Maritime
Aircraft (MMA) program. Following the six-month Phase I, NAVAIR will
down-select
to one or more contenders for the year-long Phase II, costing
approximately
US$50 million. It will then choose one contractor in Fiscal Year 2004
(FY04) to
proceed with system development and demonstration, which is predicted
to cost
US$2.25 billion.
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Concidering the recent boards reaction to the retirement of the Tomcat, is anyone out their going to miss the Orion when it goes? I know I will, it has proven itself more over than any other MPA and is comparible with the C-47/DC-3 and it’s valuable service!

Leave no-one behind!