Multi-Mission Maritime (MMA) Increment III

The Multi-Mission Maritime (MMA) Increment III Program (PE 0605504N) is a Navy Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on the continued modernization of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Its primary goal is to incrementally enhance the aircraft's capabilities to ensure cost-effective readiness for major combat operations. The program is structured around a series of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) that deliver targeted improvements in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and communications.

P-8A Spiral 2 Development is the central line item within this program element, with objectives centered on integrating advanced ASW and ASuW technologies. Increment 3 incorporates the Enhanced Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC-E) sonar capability and ASW Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), enabled by upgrades to combat system hardware and architecture. These enhancements are designed to provide the fleet with improved detection and tracking capabilities, enhanced sensor performance, and more secure communications through Higher-Than-Secret (HTS) processing.

ECP 6 focuses on a suite of upgrades including ASW SIGINT, Wide Band SATCOM, HTS processing, enhanced track management via the Minotaur system, Applications Based Architecture (ABA), and overall combat system improvements. These upgrades are intended to increase the operational effectiveness of the P-8A in contested environments, improve data fusion and decision-making, and enable secure, high-bandwidth communications. ECP 6 integration activities began in FY 2019, with Boeing serving as the Platform Integrator and government-led Lead Capability Integrator (LCI) efforts supporting system design and integration.

ECP 7 is dedicated to the development and integration of the Enhanced MAC-E capability, which relies on the hardware and architecture improvements delivered by ECP 6. MAC-E provides advanced multi-static sonar processing, significantly improving the P-8A's ability to detect and track submarines in complex acoustic environments. ECP 7 development is managed under a separate program element but is integrated into the P-8A through the Platform Integration contract within this program.

Pre/Post-Flight Ground System Development is another key objective, involving upgrades to ground support systems such as the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and Aircraft Media Gateway (AMG). These improvements ensure that both aircraft and ground systems are synchronized in their capabilities, supporting mission planning, data management, and post-mission analysis. The development and correction of deficiencies in these systems are scheduled through FY 2026, with milestones aligned to the deployment schedule of Increment 3 aircraft.

The program's acquisition strategy emphasizes government control over design and integration, promoting cost-effectiveness and rapid fielding of new capabilities. Technologies are compartmentalized and delivered independently as ECPs, minimizing risk to overall program schedule and procurement costs. This approach is responsive to emergent fleet requirements and allows for flexible adaptation to evolving operational needs.

Funding for the Multi-Mission Maritime Increment III program supports product development, test and evaluation, and program management activities. Major contractors include Boeing for hardware development and integration, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC AD) for system engineering, developmental, and operational testing. The program is subject to ongoing budget adjustments to align with Department-level efficiency initiatives and workforce optimization, ensuring that resources are allocated to maximize operational impact and cost savings.