Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program (PMA 290), NAVAIR Patuxent River, MD – U.S. Navy and industry leaders participated in a Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) team “startup” workshop, July 13-15, in the Boeing Company facility in Seattle, Wash.

Facilitated by instructors from Defense Acquisition University, the curriculum focused on aligning the MMA teams from both the Navy and Boeing Company into one united team with a common tool set.

The Boeing Company was awarded the contract to develop the MMA in June. Built on a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, the 737-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 (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (AsuW) capabilities. Ultimately, the 737-MMA will replace the U.S. Navy’s fleet of P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft.

Participants in attendance included the integrated program team (IPT) leads for both Boeing and the Navy, key suppliers, functional process leads and the program managers for both organizations. This was the first meeting of senior program leadership since the contract was awarded.

Boeing MMA Program Manager Tony Parasida and Boeing MMA Deputy Program Manager Jack Zerr, along with Navy MMA Program Manager Cmdr. Joe Rixey and Navy MMA Deputy Program Manager James Lackey launched the workshop.

Additionally, the participants were provided with insight into the Fleet’s needs and requirements by Cmdr. Mike Hewitt (OPNAV N-78), VP-30 Commanding Officer Capt. Rich Heimerle, and Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN, Capt. Tim Tibbets.

"This workshop was a great effort to baseline our joint Navy and industry team,” said James Lackey. “We had very productive discussions which resulted in formulating a solid framework for overall team operations.”

Results of the three-day-event included the establishment of “running rules” for the program’s execution, development of joint Navy and Boeing integrated program team (IPT) charters, joint workflow and process definitions for each IPT, and identification of work status and action items within each IPT for near term resolution.

The agenda was filled with requirements and program overviews, contract baseline and change management, a contract deliverables review, initial baseline review planning, metrics, integrated data environment capabilities, and risk management process review.

“All major acquisition efforts really should go through this type of endeavor,” remarked Lackey, “It is an opportunity to ensure mutual understandings, perspectives, and strategic goals prior to program initiation."

For more information about the MMA program, contact PMA 290 public affairs at (301) 342-0207. A fact sheet is avaiilable at http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/aircraft/air-mma.html.

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Illustration of the MMA provided courtesy of Boeing (RELEASED).