The Source for Navy News
MMA Completes First Major Review
Story Number: NNS041006-08
Release Date: 10/6/2004 1:55:00 PM
By Joan Phillips Holland, Maritime Patrol Aircraft Public Affairs
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The Navy completed a Systems Requirements Review (SRR) of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program Sept. 30 at a three-day conference in Seattle.
The review was a crucial step that permits the program to continue forward in the Systems Development and Demonstration phase of the acquisition. This was the first major review of the program since the contract was awarded to Boeing June 14.
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the work the MMA Team has produced to date,” remarked Stu Young, technical director, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, and designated MMA SRR review board chairman, during the meeting’s conclusion. “The very few action items generated indicate that this program is on the right track.”
The purpose of the SRR was to ensure understanding of the planned system and contract requirements. Meetings included briefings and discussions that provided a detailed review of documents, such as the technical specifications, statement of work and contract schedule.
“The reason this review is so important is that it is critical we get our requirements right,” said Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program Manager (PMA 290) Capt. Steven R. Eastburg. “What we’re doing here today is setting a foundation for this program. When you have a strong foundation and you have the requirements right the first time, you’re going to be successful.”
Conducted as an in-depth examination of the program, the SRR meeting was attended by the MMA team from the contractor that will develop the aircraft, Boeing, and the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program Office (PMA 290). Additionally, representatives from the Chief of Naval Operations, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs were present to aid in the analysis.
“Fleet representation in this process is very important,” remarked MMA Deputy Program Manager Cmdr. Joe Rixey. “They need the MMA to be delivered on schedule, and we want to bring them the very best aircraft possible so that they can accomplish their mission.”
During the SRR event, Rixey recognized the contributions of the Fleet Introduction Team (FIT) members who were in attendance. The FIT, a group comprised of servicemembers currently serving in the fleet, provides valuable insight into the needs of the end users of the MMA and acts as a balance to merge warfighter requirements with acquisition resource constrained realities.
“Holding SRR is the first step to systematically transfer warfighter requirements to a functional allocation and ultimate design synthesis," said MMA Lead Systems Engineer for the Navy Mike Gomes. "Throughout this program, we intend to strongly adhere to such rigorous systems engineering principles and practices; it’s the way to really ensure success."
The Navy’s replacement platform for the P-3C Orion, MMA will secure the Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol, while transforming how the Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force will man, train, operate and deploy. The platform will be a modernized air vehicle that will provide more combat capability from a smaller force and less infrastructure, while focusing on worldwide responsiveness and interoperability with traditional manned forces and evolving unmanned sensors.
Built on a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, MMA will bring together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with a fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. This combination, coupled with next-generation sensors, will dramatically improve anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
For related news, visit the NAVAIR - Naval Air Systems Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/navair.
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