US CBP receives upgraded P-3 Orion aircraft from Lockheed Martin

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has received an upgraded P-3 Orion aircraft from Lockheed Martin.

Delivered ahead of schedule, it is the 12th of 14 aircraft in the programme to receive mid-life upgrade (MLU) modifications and phased depot maintenance.

Under the programme, Lockheed replaced outer wings, centre wing, horizontal stabiliser and horizontal stabiliser leading edges of the aircraft.

In addition, all essential fatigue life-limiting structures have been replaced, in a bid to reduce maintenance and sustainment costs.

The MLU allows the aircraft to support operators from an additional 20 to 25 years.

The aircraft has been designed as the standard for maritime patrol and reconnaissance and is used to conduct homeland security and drug interdiction missions.

It is also used for hurricane reconnaissance, anti-piracy operations, humanitarian relief, search and rescue, intelligence gathering, antisubmarine warfare, and to assist in air traffic control and natural disaster relief support.

In July 2009, Lockheed Martin secured $821m maintenance, repair, and overhaul contract for the CBP P-3 Orion fleet.

With nine additional one-year options, the contract is for a base period of one year, according to Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed also received contract from CBP under the P-3 Aircraft Service Life Extension Programme (ASLEP) in 2008. As part of the deal, CBP ordered up to 14 all-new production wing life extension kits.

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Image: Lockheed Martin has delivered 12t^h upgraded P-3 Orion aircraft to US CBP. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.