US Navy designation: P-7A

TYPE: Intended successor to P-3; cancelled.

PROGRAMME: Lockheed selected to produce long-range air anti-submarine warfare capable aircraft (LRAACA), initially known as P-3G, in October 1988; requirement for 125 aircraft; development and two prototypes ordered January 1989 with P-7A designation; rollout scheduled for September 1991, with first flight December; second prototype was to be delivered March 1993 and first production aircraft 1994, with 18 aircraft a year from 1996 to 2001; commonality with P-3 declined from 20 per cent to near zero in 1989 and one to two year delay required for redesign; programme cancelled July 1990.

CUSTOMERS: German government signed MoU March 1989 to acquire 12 P-7As from 1997 to replace Dassault Atlantics; Dornier was to participate in programme. Outer wing panels subcontracted to Daewoo Heavy Industries of South Korea.

COSTS: Full-scale development contract of $52 million awarded January 1989; estimated unit cost $32-40 million.

DESIGN FEATURES: Four 3,729 kW (5,000 sbp) class General Electric T407 turboprops, driving Hamilton Standard 15WF modular composite five-blade propellers; full authority digital controls; 37,703 litre (9,953 US gallon; 8,294 Imp gallon) fuel capacity.