Lockheed Martin delivers first Mid-Life Upgrade P-3 Orion

13 Jul 2010

The first Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion with new Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) enhancements was delivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in ceremonies today. The newly re-winged P-3 will soon make its first flight. “The P-3 Orion is unsurpassed in its flexibility in maritime patrol and reconnaissance,” said Ralph Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “The Mid-Life Upgrade will ensure this national asset continues to provide second-to-none service for the next 20 years.” Lockheed Martin's P-3 MLU program replaces the aircraft outer wings, center wing lower surface and horizontal stabilizer with new production components. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will receive up to 14 upgraded P-3s for deliveries planned through 2015. This first CBP MLU aircraft was completed in 14 months. To date, Lockheed Martin has 52 MLU kits under contract with 6 operators from 4 nations. “We are excited about our partnership with Customs and Border Protection,” said Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin P-3 Programs vice president, “and we are committed to providing them with modernization enhancements to sustain the P-3 for decades to come. The MLU integrates well with our 10-year site and depot P-3 Fleet Maintenance Program, now underway with CBP.” The MLU replaces all fatigue-life limiting structure with enhanced-design components and incorporates a new metal alloy that is five times more corrosion resistant, greatly reducing the cost of ownership for P-3 Operators. The MLU removes current aircraft flight restrictions and extends the structural service life of the P-3 up to 15 000 hours and adds 20 years of operational use.

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