Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA)

The Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) (P-8A) program, funded under Program Element (PE) 0605500N, is a Navy research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on enhancing the capabilities of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The program's specific goals are to maintain and advance the P-8A's effectiveness in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The program responds to validated mission needs as outlined by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and is guided by the P-8A Capability Production Document. This ensures the aircraft remains relevant in evolving operational environments.

Central to the program is the P-8 Improvements line item, which supports a series of Rapid Capability Insertions (RCI) and rapid development efforts. These efforts are designed to address emerging threats and adversary capabilities through incremental software and hardware upgrades. The objectives include enhancing reliability and maintainability, addressing obsolescence, inserting new technologies, correcting deficiencies, and improving flight safety. Upgrades target sensor capabilities, communications systems, mission systems, airframe and engine components, weapons, training systems, and Tactical Operations Center (TOC)/Tacmobile support.

The program prioritizes planned and emergent requirements through the Navy's Integration and Interoperability (I&I) aligned Capability Prioritization Process (CPP), the P-8A Tier 3 Capability Roadmap, and Fleet-identified Urgent Operational Needs. Detailed analysis and technology maturation support these processes, ensuring that capability enhancements are both responsive and cost-effective.

The acquisition strategy employs a Government Lead Capability Integrator (LCI) approach, promoting competition, cost-effectiveness, and rapid fielding of new capabilities while minimizing risks to overall program schedule and procurement costs.

Specific RCI efforts include RCI-4 and RCI-5 packages. RCI-4 focuses on kill-chain/gap analysis, ASW enhancements, common weapons synchronization, and the continuation of Airborne Weapon Simulator capabilities. RCI-5 aims to improve survivability through the development and certification of Radio Frequency Counter Measure (RFCM) Self Protection Pods and Advanced Survivability Pods (ASP), as well as enhancements to distributed sensor networks.

These efforts are complemented by ongoing integration and testing of new weapon systems, such as the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), and the initial integration of Mk54 Mod 2 torpedo capabilities into the baseline P-8A software configuration.

For FY 2026, the program plans to continue developing RCI packages and rapid development efforts, with a particular emphasis on hardware and software integration for survivability solutions. Initiatives include pod-level integration and platform software integration for ASP, as well as analysis for future ASP spiral efforts such as Dual Band Decoy (DBD) integration and Long Range Threat Warning (LRTW) capability.

Additional analysis will focus on expanding the Distributed SIGINT Operations (DSO) envelope to meet emergent threats and incorporating resilient, redundant communications via Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) solutions.

Technical, cost, risk, and logistics analyses are conducted to evaluate proposed technologies and system requirements. These analyses inform cost/performance trade-offs and guide the technical execution of RCI packages. The program also supports developmental test and evaluation activities, systems engineering, and program management services to ensure successful integration and certification of new capabilities.

Increases in FY 2026 funding reflect ramped-up development and testing for survivability enhancements and future readiness efforts, including upgrades to electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems and diagnostics tools.