MARITIME SURVEILLANCE

The Maritime Surveillance Gallery is one of our newest technology galleries and, as of late 2023, still under construction. We hope to put the finishing touches on this new gallery in early 2024. 

It will tell the story of naval Maritime Surveillance in four specific areas:  Electronic Intelligence, Fixed-Wing Antisubmarine Warfare, Carrier-Based Antisubmarine Warfare, and Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare.

Electronic Reconnaissance Aircraft

Selected ship-based aircraft: Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior, in service from 1956 to 1991, was the electronic reconnaissance version of the A-3 attacked aircraft. Lockhead ES-3A Shadow in service from 1993 to 1999, was the electronic reconnaissance version of the S-3 Viking maritime patrol aircraft.

Selected land-based aircraft: Martin P4M-1Q Mercator, in service from 1950 to 1960, was the electronic reconnaissance version of the P4M patrol aircraft. EP-3A/B Orion & EP-3E Aries/Aries II, in service from 1964 to the present, is the electronic reconnaissance version of the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

How do you sink enemy Submarines and Ships?

  • Short-range air-surface missiles, used by manned and unmanned aircraft, both fixed- and rotary-wing. It targets surface vessels.

  • Long-range air-surface missiles, used by manned and unmanned aircraft, both fixed- and rotary-wing. It targets surface vessels.

  • Aerial torpedoes, used by manned ASW aircraft, both fixed- and rotary-wing. It targets submerged submarines.

  • Naval mines, used by manned aircraft, both fixed- and rotary-wing. It targets surface vessels and submarines.

We will be telling the story of how the Program Executive Office, Air, ASW, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) provides fleet capability and capacity, supporting development and sustainment of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, special mission aircraft and aviation anti-submarine warfare equipment and aircraft. 

PEO(A) comprises ten major program offices, located here at Patuxent River that coordinate and oversee the acquisition and total life-cycle support for a diverse range of products, including Tactical Airlift (PMA-207), Heavy Lift Helicopters (PMA-261), Air ASW Systems (PMA-264), Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications (PMA-271), Presidential Helicopters (PMA-274), V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275), Light/Attack Helicopters (PMA-276), Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft (PMA-290), Multi-Mission Helicopters (PMA-299), and Advanced Sensors Technology.