Boeing Completes MMA Wind Tunnel Tests

[mpenguin1]

ST. LOUIS, April 13, 2005 - A team led by Boeing (NYSE: BA) recently completed 1,300 hours of high-speed wind-tunnel testing of the U.S. Navy’s Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA), which was recently given the designation P-8A.

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...r_050413s.html

[chunk75]

As a former (reluctant) P-3 dude, I can't imagine trying to mark on top buoys at 200 feet in a 737...I think the decision makers just wanted to get a jet that would make their transition to SWA a smooth one...

[P3_Super_Bee]

[ QUOTE ]
As a former (reluctant) P-3 dude, I can't imagine trying to mark on top buoys at 200 feet in a 737...I think the decision makers just wanted to get a jet that would make their transition to SWA a smooth one...

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto. Once agian Pilot input prevaled. Turbofans is one of the biggest reasons the S-3 turned into an overpriced gas truck. Those fans didn't like the salt water enviroment at all.

[chunk75]

Actually, not true. With the exception of a single precautionary shutdown (bad sender unit on an oil pressure nickel gauge), the motors never gave me a hiccup. The platform was bulletproof having been in the fleet for over a quarter century. The reason the S-3 became a full time MTKR (mission tanker) is because they forced the SENSO (sensor operator) out of the platform. Without the AW, you lost the primary mission of the Hoover, ASW. Every other mission (primarily SUW) suffered because you had NFO's running the gear (no experience...). Pure political decision. They had to cut $$ and rather than cut the TACCO spot (save most $$ and lose NO mission capability) and replace with experienced SENSO, the flags decided to cut the E to save the O billet. Well, shortsighted, because it doomed the whole platform and the O's lost their billets anyway. E's don't make those calls....

Chunk