First Deliveries Expected In 2010

It's a significant -- and needed -- advance for an aging workhorse. Lockheed Martin announced Thursday it has won a $129.3 million contract to build a total of 13 new outer wing sets for the US Navy's fleet of venerable P-3 Orion reconnaissance planes. The all new production outer wings will be delivered to the Navy beginning in early 2010 for installation on selected aircraft.

"Lockheed Martin has a long, proud history of providing P-3 sustainment and support to the US Navy," said Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin vice president of P-3/S-3 programs. "This new wing order is the next step in that partnership."

Lockheed Martin's P-3 wing production line opened in March 2008 and is the cornerstone of the company's P-3 Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP). Lockheed Martin currently has the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the US Customs and Border Protection Service under contract for P-3 Life Extension Kits, and has submitted a response to the Canadian Forces under a Request For Proposal. A proposal for the Taiwan P-3 fleet is also in work.

"As the P-3 Orion original equipment manufacturer, Lockheed Martin is uniquely qualified to sustain and support the world's P-3 leets," said Burick. "Aside from the operators of these aircraft, nobody knows the P-3 better than Lockheed Martin."

The complete ASLEP solution replaces the aircraft outer wings, center wing lower section and horizontal stabilizers with new production components. All fatigue-life limiting structures on the aircraft are replaced with enhanced-design components and improved corrosion-resistant materials that will greatly reduce maintenance costs over the aircraft's service life.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to providing a range of solutions that enables operational effectiveness for P-3 Orion operators worldwide for decades to come," said Burick. "We're fully prepared to support the US Navy and all our customers in their future maritime surveillance activities."

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon, expected to replace the Orions, isn't expected to enter service until 2013. The Navy will receive its first of five test P-8As in 2009.

FMI: www.lmco.com, www.navy.com