The new BoeingMSA (Maritime Surveillance Aircraft – medium size) is built upon proven P-8 mission systems – i.e. less/no risk for the customer and Benefits from US DoD investment in software and open architecture. Boeing chose the BombardierCHALLENGER 605 platform because of speed (“speed is life”), payload, altitude, time on station, and other reasons (any weather capability). Boeing believes a jet is the best choice today for the medium segment. It offers a growth potential for additional sensors and multi-mission payloads. The power, cooling, space and payload capacity is bigger than today needs. As the P-8, the aircraft structure and wiring was modified. At the moment Boeing is using a modified CHALLENGER 604 as a demonstrator (successful 1st flight of Demonstrator at 28th February 2014, ground and flight testing is underway). Boeing points out that their solution is not only a maritime solution, a lot of customer have request for solutions over water and land, the MSA can fulfill both as an ISR platform.
It can fulfill missions like long-range maritime surveillance, anti-piracy, coastal, border and overland security, Economic Exclusion Zone monitoring, anti-smuggling/drug interdiction and Search and Rescue (SAR).
The mission system can collect, process, exploit and disseminate actionable intelligence products to national and coalition forces. Operators are working at three innovative high resolutions, multi-touch dual screen mission workstations. All radar, EO/IR, ESM, AIS, COMINT, data link contacts presented on an integrated real-time picture for increased situational awareness. All data will be recorded by a digital mission recording of all sensors for post-mission analysis. The Mission Crew consists typically of 3-5 soldiers (tactical coordinator, 2 sensor operators and pilots).
It won’t be weaponised but have a door to be opened during flight to drop equipment (there is no drop hatch). Boeing says it could deliver the first series aircraft (depending on customer wishes) 36 month after a contract. It will be flying and have its world premier at Farnborough International Air Show 2014.
Andre Forkert