Lockheed delivers additional upgraded P-3 Orion aircraft to US CBP

Lockheed Martin has successfully delivered eighth mid-life upgraded (MLU) P-3 Orion aircraft to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 10 months ahead of schedule.

The delivery forms part of a previous contract awarded to Lockheed for the supply of 14 P-3 Orions, modified with MLU kits for the US CBP to support homeland security and drug interdiction missions.

Lockheed Martin Modification, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, Greenville Site and Field Team Operations vice president Ray Burick said, "This is the seventh CBP P-3 the Lockheed Martin team has delivered ahead of or on schedule from its facility in Greenville, S.C., since July 2010- a truly remarkable accomplishment for this team and our CBP customer."

The MLU programme involves replacement of all fatigue life-limiting structures with enhanced-design components as well as equipping improved design components and corrosion-resistant materials.

In addition to eliminating current aircraft flight restrictions, Lockheed’s P-3 MLU programme aims to extend the aircraft’s service life to more than 20 years.

Designed as a standard maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, P-3 Orion is capable of performing missions such as hurricane reconnaissance, anti-piracy operations, humanitarian relief operations and search and rescue as well as for homeland security tasks.

The aircraft will also support missions such as intelligence gathering, and antisubmarine warfare as well as assist in air traffic control and natural disaster relief support.

Image: A Lockheed-built P-3 Orion aircraft lands at a base. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.