The EPX is planned as a replacement for the EP-3 Aries aircraft
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (Feb. 7, 2008) – The U.S. Navy awarded the Boeing/Argon ST; Lockheed Martin; and Northrop Grumman/L3 Communications teams each $1.25 million contracts today to help develop the EPX program requirements and potential system concepts, announced NAVAIR yesterday.
Planned as a replacement for the EP-3 Aries aircraft, the EPX will be a manned multi-mission, multi-intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting platform. The EPX will operate in concert with other maritime patrol and reconnaissance platforms, such as Broad Area Maritime Surveillance and the P-8A Poseidon.
“The contracts will allow industry to work with the Navy to analyze the current requirements for the EPX system and will further develop the concepts, cost and schedule for the program,” said Capt. Joe Rixey, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program manager. “These contractors will help us determine the technical criteria necessary to build a strong foundation for the EPX program.”
The Boeing Company, located in Seattle, Wash., is partnering with Argon ST based in Fairfax, Va. The Lockheed Martin team is located in Marietta, Ga. and Egan, Minn. Northrop Grumman, of Bethpage, N.Y. will be teaming with L3 Communications, out of Greenville and Waco, Texas.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone and one step further in advancing the EPX program,” Rixey said. “We are pleased to announce the partnership with these industry leaders as we value their expertise and are confident in their ability to help us develop the best solutions for replacing the EP-3.”