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P-8A Poseidon Increment 2

Project Unit 3181 Increment 2 next Phase of Capabilities was previously called Spiral One. . Project Unit 3181 capabilities would be integrated into the P8A through Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) as approved in the Milestone C (MS C) Acquisition Decision Memorandum dated August 27, 2010. These ECPs are: Automatic Identification System, Multi-static Active Coherent, High Altitude Anti-submarine Warfare Weapon Capability and Sensors, Rapid Capability Insertion Acoustics Algorithms, and Tactical Operations Center updates. Project Unit 3218 (P-8A Increment 3 (previously called Spiral Two)) was not included in the Acquisition Program Baseline cost parameters established at MS C and are excluded from the funding reported in this SAR.

P-8A Inc 1 baseline configuration and Inc 2 Anti-Submarine Warfare enhancements are fielded in the fleet. The Navy was on track to field Inc 2 High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) in FY 2020, as paced by HAAWC production. P-8A Inc 3 consists of four separate Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) 4-7 which incrementally increases warfighting capability under the P-8A baseline Acquisition Strategy. Inc 3 ECP 4 delivered to the fleet in FY 2018. Inc 3 ECP 5 Net Enabled Weapon/Communications, delivers to the fleet in FY 2020.

The RDT&E cost parameters include the costs associated with Project Unit 2696 (Inc 1 System Development and Demonstration), Project Unit 3181 (Inc 2 next Phase of Capabilities (previously called Spiral One)) and Project Unit 3218 (P-8A Inc 3 (previously called Spiral Two)). Inc 2 capabilities were integrated into the P-8A through Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) as approved in the Milestone C ADM, dated August 27, 2010. These ECPs are: Automatic Identification System; Multi-static Active Coherent (MAC); High Altitude Anti-submarine Warfare Weapon Capability and Sensors; Rapid Capability Insertion; and Tactical Operations Center updates.

As part of the P-8A Increment 2 program, the Navy was integrating the Multi-static Active Coherent (MAC) system into the P-8A to provide the initial broad-area ASW search capabilities originally included in the P-8A Increment 1 baseline acquisition program and supporting operational requirement documents. DOT&E previously issued a MAC IOT&E report based on testing conducted on the P-3C aircraft. This report concluded that the MAC system provides the P-3C with a broad-area ASW search capability in some operational environments and for select target scenarios, but falls short of fleet-defined capabilities needed to protect high value units. Initial test results indicate that MAC performance varies strongly by ocean environmental characteristics.

The Navy continued P-8A Increment 2 software development testing in FY14. The P-8A Increment 2 program integrates the MAC system to provide a limited broad-area ASW search capability for some environments. The Navy conducted developmental flight testing of the MAC Phase I System broad-area ASW search capability on the P-8A from February through March 2014 to support the start of operational testing in May 2014. Following the March 2014 test flight, the Navy delayed the start of operational testing to correct MAC integration and performance deficiencies. The contractor delivered a final P-8A MAC software update in August 2014. Completion of developmental testing and start of operational testing was scheduled for November 2014. Future Increment 2 program upgrades include new high-altitude ASW capabilities and correction of some P-8A deficiencies identified during previous developmental and operational test events.

As part of the P-8A Increment 2 program, the Navy was integrating the MAC system into the P-8A to provide the broad-area ASW search capabilities originally included in the P-8A Increment 1 baseline acquisition program and supporting operational requirement documents. DOT&E previously issued a MAC IOT&E report based on testing conducted on the P-3C aircraft. This report concluded that the MAC system provides the P-3C with a broad-area ASW search capability in some operational environments and for select target scenarios, but falls short of fleet-defined capabilities needed to protect high value units. Initial test results indicate that MAC performance varies strongly by ocean environmental characteristics and target tactics. Further information can be found in DOT&E’s July 2014 IOT&E report on the MAC System on P-3C Aircraft.

The Navy delayed the start of P-8A MAC OT&E to fix integration and performance deficiencies that were expected to reduce ASW mission performance and system reliability. The Navy’s contractor delivered the final software with fixes in August 2014. Integration laboratory testing and flight testing was progressing to support the scheduled start of operational testing in November 2014.