Boeing, Lockheed in chase for sub hunters.

Byline: Susan Chandler

ST. LOUIS _ As a Navy pilot, Tim Norgart spent more than 4,500 hours flying Lockheed P-3 Orions, a trusty propeller plane designed to hunt enemy submarines in the ocean's deep blue water.

Through engine trouble and onboard fires, the P-3 always got him safely home.

Now, Norgart works for Boeing Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp.'s chief rival, and he's doing everything possible to knock P-3s from the skies.

In about a month, the Navy will choose between the two companies in awarding a $3 billion contract to develop a new-generation anti-submarine aircraft.

Lockheed's entry is an updated version of the venerable plane that Norgart flew: a four-engine propeller craft with the same dimensions as its predecessor. The twin-jet-engine Boeing entry is nothing like the old P-3.

Although the initial Navy contract will cover the development of only a few prototypes, it puts the winner in position to land a $20 billion deal if the Navy proceeds with its plans to procure a new anti-submarine fleet of more than 100 aircraft.