The Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft received its mission design series designation on March 30. MMA will now be identified as P-8A.

The P-8A MMA is the Navy’s replacement platform for the P-3C Orion, securing the Navy’s future in long-range patrol. The primary mission of MMA is to provide persistent Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). In addition, MMA will contribute to Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) warfighting capabilities as defined in the Sea Shield and FORCEnet elements of the Navy’s Sea Power 21.

The U.S. Air Force is the Department of Defense executive agent for designating and naming aerospace vehicles. The popular name that will follow the P-8A series designation has been submitted for approval.

NAVAIR’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Program Office in Patuxent River, Maryland administers the P-8A MMA Program. NAVAIR is working closely with the Boeing Company as an integrated product team. The program is currently in the System Design and Development phase. Initial operating capability is scheduled for 2013 with full operational capability planned for 2019.