As first reported in C4ISR the U.S. Navy has approached U.S. defense contractors to design a new Signals Intelligence (SigInt) platform to replace the service's aging fleet of Lockheed Martin EP-3E Aries II turboprops. Although the number of aircraft in the potential "EPX" order is relatively small by U.S. procurement standards — perhaps 14 to 24 — the choice of aircraft may have quite an impact on how maritime surveillance is conducted in the future.

Regardless of what the newest EPX aircraft turns out to be, it will be the first to serve as the SigInt element of a networked Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system incorporating manned and unmanned aircraft, satellites, ground stations and surface combatants.

Detailed technical requirements have not been disclosed to the public. However, a Naval Air Systems Command spokeswoman, has said that EPX will be a manned ISR and will target aircraft capable of operating in a SatCom-constrained environment, in concert with the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and the UAV ultimately selected for the Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) bid.

Embraer may offer the EMB-170/190 family. This is a single-aisle airliner that appears able to carry any reasonable evolution of the EP-3E mission system. Another narrow-body airline with a potential for EPX is the EADS Airbus A320 family.

General Dynamics' Gulfstream unit also seems a likely EPX contender, and its BAMS partnership with Boeing — built around a optionally manned version of the G550 business jet — effectively positions both companies for EPX should the Navy call for a platform smaller than a 737. Gulfstream also could proceed without Boeing, but this seems unlikely unless BAMS is awarded to one of the other contenders.

Then again Northrop Grumman is offering an AESA-equipped Block 20 Global Hawk UAV for BAMS, while Lockheed Martin has proposed a long-winged variant of the General Atomics Predator B UAV.
The initial contract award is planned for this October, but that date may change.

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