L-3 Mission Integration has selected Rockwell Collins-built Flight2 avionics for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Orion maritime patrol aircraft upgrade programme.

Korean Air serves as the prime contractor, while L-3 Mission Integration is the subcontractor for the P-3C upgrade contract.

Under the Lot I upgrade contract, Rockwell Collins will deliver Flight2 avionics for installation on to eight ROKN P-3C aircraft.

The aircraft, upon completion of the upgrade, will have a configuration common with the other eight P-3CK aircraft upgraded under the South Korea Lot II maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) programme.

"Korean Air serves as the prime contractor, while L-3 Mission Integration is the subcontractor for the P-3C upgrade contract."

Rockwell Collins airborne solutions vice-president and general manager Troy Brunk said: "ROKN pilots will experience greater situational awareness and communications capabilities with the highly advanced avionics onboard these aircraft.

"Through our work with the Korean Navy, Korean Air and L-3 Mission Integration, we look forward to continuing our long legacy of helping ROKN P-3 pilots achieve their missions with these important upgrades."

The Rockwell Collins Flight2 avionics system will provide greater situational awareness for the ROKN aircraft while meeting communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) airspace requirements.

Additional avionics upgrades include new primary flight displays, flight-management system, communication radios, navigation sensors and surveillance systems.

Fitted with sensor suite comprising an ASQ-81 magnetic anomaly detector and an ASA-65 magnetic compensator, the 35.61m anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft is powered by four Allison T56-A-14 turboprop engines.

The Lockheed Martin-built P-3 Orion maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft is also currently operational with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Greece, Iran, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Thailand and the US.

Defence Technology