they are to spy on china, nio doubt about it.
Well MIGleader the P-3 Orion & variants have been in service since 1959 with the USN could be used to spy on the PRC by India. Could be
But the fact is the US is proboly starting to get rid of it's P-3's. They are due to be replaced by P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) sometime in the next 8 years. The MMA is in reality a military version of a Boeing 737.
P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA)
The P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the future battle space. A derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, the P-8A MMA is being developed for the U.S. Navy by a Boeing-led industry team that consists of CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Smiths Aerospace.
MMA is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. The first aircraft will be delivered for flight test in 2009 and initial operational capability is slated for 2013.
Boeing was awarded a $3.89 billion contract for the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the MMA program on June 14, 2004 . SDD activities include developing and integration of all the necessary software and onboard mission systems, modifications to the airframe and developing training systems. The P-8A is expected to significantly transform how the Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will train, operate and deploy.
The Navy completed a three-day system requirements review of the program Sept. 30, 2004 . This was the first major review of the program since the SDD contract was awarded. The review was a crucial step that permits the program to continue forward. The purpose was to ensure understanding of the planned system and contract requirements. A preliminary design review is slated for September 2005.
The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a contract for phase I of component advanced development (CAD) of the MMA in September 2002 and a contract for CAD phase II in February 2003.
Boeing and its industry partners provide unrivaled expertise in both large-scale systems integration and network centric operations, plus unquestioned leadership in developing and customizing military and commercial products for maritime forces.
Boeing will build the 737 MMA at its production facility in Renton , Wash. The 737 fuselage will be built in Wichita , Kan. then sent to Renton where a ll MMA-unique P-8A aircraft structural features will be incorporated in sequence during fabrication and assembly. The aircraft will have quality and performance acceptance flight testing conducted from Renton Field and final installations and checkout of the mission system and special flight test instrumentation will be conducted at Boeing Field. The aircraft will then ferry to Naval Air Station Patuxent River , MD for flight test.
CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma Moteurs and General Electric Company, provides the CFM56-7 engines that will power the P-8A. This is the same engine that powers the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, as well as the Navy's C-40 transport. The two engines will each provide 27,300 pounds of takeoff thrust. The CFM56-7 is one of the world's most reliable engines. This fleet of engines has logged more than 30 million flight hours while maintaining an industry-leading .002 percent in-flight shut down rate per 1,000 hours of flight.
Northrop Grumman's Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector will provide the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, the directional infrared countermeasures system, and the electronic support measures system. Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector, based in Reston , Va. , will develop data links for MMA. The company's Integrated Systems sector, based in El Segundo , Calif. , will support the mission planning effort.
Raytheon will provide an upgraded APS-137 Maritime Surveillance Radar and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) solutions. Raytheon is also offering its revolutionary GPS Anti-Jam, Integrated Friend or Foe, and Towed Decoy Self-Protection suites, and the aircraft's Broadcast Info System (BIS) and secure UHF Satcom capability.
Smiths Aerospace will supply both the Flight Management and Stores Management systems on the 737 MMA. The Flight Management System provides a truly integrated open architecture that is CNS/ATM compatible along with an inherent growth path for upgrades. The Stores Management System provides a comprehensive system for the electronic control of integrated weapons management.
The Navy is expected to make a full-rate production decision in 2013. Extensive international interest is anticipated from countries currently operating P-3s and other maritime patrol aircraft