Lockheed delivers P-3 Orion to US Customs
Lockheed Martin delivered a P-3 Orion aircraft to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on 18 March, 37 days ahead of schedule.
This aircraft is the 12th of 14 P-3 Orions in a programme to receive Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications and phased depot maintenance. The MLU modifications include replacing the outer wings, centre wing, horizontal stabiliser and horizontal stabiliser leading edges. It also includes the replacement of all necessary fatigue life-limiting structures.
With the completion of its MLU upgrades ahead of schedule, the P-3 Orion delivered to CBP will be able to return to the fleet faster and resume supporting homeland security and drug interdiction missions.
The P-3 Orion is an anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft operated by 21 governments and agencies in 17 countries worldwide. It has been in service for nearly 50 years, performing air, surface and subsurface patrol and reconnaissance tasks. The MLU will allow the P-3 Orion to support operators for another 20-25 years.
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