The transformation of Maritime Patrol Aviation will entail the acquisition of a new aircraft and possibly the addition of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The U.S. Navy faces a crucial decision regarding aircraft type and future employment roles. The Navy must also refocus on its core competency of Anti-Submarine Warfare and may have to adopt new tactics in support of Sea Power 21 concepts. The Navy's P-3 Orion is rapidly approaching its service life and is need of immediate replacement. The Navy will choose either the Boeing 737-700 variant or the Lockheed Orion-21 aircraft as it future Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. The propeller driven Lockheed aircraft will certainly make a suitable platform for conducting ASW and ISR missions, however, Lockheed does not currently have an open production line for such aircraft. Boeing is offering a militarized 737 commercial variant aircraft, which is currently in production and offers potential savings to the Navy. Boeing also is marketing a maintenance and supply infrastructure that will notionally save the Navy large amounts of money in comparison to a non- commercial source. Boeing is the clear winner when viewed in a purely fiscal environment. Lockheed may offer a more suitable product but the price may exceed the Navy's budget, especially in time of transformation. The Navy needs to see a reemergence in excellence in regards to ASW.

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