SERVICE ENTRY

The SM-73 Rigel™ is a new aircraft concept presently under development with the first production aircraft scheduled to enter Initial Operational Capability (IOC) between 2014 and 2016. As the SM-73 is not in production and is not presently in service with any Naval Air Arms, allied or domestic. For more information regarding SM-73 production schedules, availability and flyaway cost, please visit the Pricing & Availability page or contact Stavatti.

POTENTIAL END-USERS

The SM-73 is an all new Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA). Designed specifically for Anti-Submarine Warfare/Anti-Surface Warfare (ASW2) while providing a flexible platform suitable for SAR, EW, Carrier Battle Group AWACs and ELINT, the SM-73 is also directly suitable for civilian fire-bomber/forestry protection roles. A capable successor to the Lockheed P-3C Orion, the SM-73 is an appropriate next generation MMA alternative.

The SM-73 market consists of all U.S. and NATO allied operators of dedicated ASW and maritime patrol aircraft. The SM-73 is a suitable replacement for aircraft types including the Lockheed P-3 Orion, Dassault Atlantique 1 and 2, BAE Systems Nimrod, Beriev A-40 Albatross and Shin Miewa US- 1/PS-1. The SM-73 is also a suitable P-3 AEW&C AWACs replacement. With over 700 P-3s built and in service worldwide and approximately 400 in current NATO allied service, Stavatti recognizes a potential market for between 400 and 700 ASW aircraft over the next 25 years.

The SM-73 will be marketed to the U.S. DoD and all qualified NATO allies. The SM-73 may compete directly with the Boeing 737 derived P-8A Poseidon in tomorrow‘s MMA/ASW market, offering greater affordability, greater efficiency, significantly improved loiter at low patrol speeds, and greater weapons compatibility/capability than the P-8A
In addition to the military ASW2 role, an SM-73 variant will be marketed to serve in the civilian Fire Bomber role for use by forestry services worldwide. Replacing current P2V Neptune and P-3 Orion fire-bombers, the SM-73W (W for “Water”) will be designed in parallel with the SM-73 to accept more than 25,000 lbs of water (3,125 gallons). Estimated market for the SM-73W is approximately 25 to 100 units worldwide. Stavatti anticipates a potential market for over 400 military SM-73s.

RESPONDING TO REQUIREMENTS

Stavatti Military Aerospace has engaged in active discussions with specific potential customers and has submitted information packages/proposals regarding the SM-73 Rigel™ in response to specific customer Requests For Information (RFIs) and Requests For Proposals (RFPs). Stavatti considers all information packages/proposals submitted in response to RFIs/RFPs to be proprietary and regards the acknowledgement of our response to particular RFIs/RFPs to be competition sensitive information. RFIs/RFPs to which Stavatti has responded to involving the SM-73 which we publicly acknowledge include: