Boeing's new SIGINT aircraft concept is a variant of its 737-based P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft which is currently being developed for the U.S. Navy.

"We think this affordable variant not only provides the U.S. Defense Department with options for current and future airborne ISR requirements, but also is adaptable to any International SIGINT mission sets," said Tony Parasida, Boeing vice president for Maritime Systems.

"A key advantage of this new program is that the 737 SIGINT aircraft will leverage the P-8A's advanced mission system architecture, mature design, and contractor logistics support and training systems approach. For customers that means reduced operating and maintenance costs over the entire life cycle of the system."

The Boeing 737 SIGINT variant will have increased mission capability, operational readiness and combat radius relative to legacy aircraft. The design also has built-in growth capacity so payload capacity can easily be increased or upgraded to accommodate future customer requirements.

Boeing's Maritime Systems Industry team, currently working on the P-8A program, will be involved with the 737 SIGINT variant as well. Additional partners likely will be added to the team to help address future customer requirements.

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