Airbus Defence and Space and Lockheed Martin Overseas Services have received a contract to jointly perform a Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU), re-winging, of the German Navy fleet of P-3C Orion maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
Under the eight-year contract, which was awarded by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the companies will be responsible to upgrade eight aircraft.
Within the partnership, Airbus Defence and Space will carry out integration, installation, and check out of the MLU-K15 kits for the P-3C Orion aircraft at Manching, Germany.
Lockheed Martin P-3 Programs director Mark Jarvis said: "Once installed, these new wings will extend the life of each German Navy P-3 by 15,000 hours per aircraft, which will allow the German Navy fleet to meet future mission requirements.
"We look forward to working with Airbus to provide the German Navy, and specifically Naval Air Wing 3 at NAS Nordholz, the improved capability that these wings will provide."
The latest agreement will see the production of eight MLU-kits, which includes outer wing, centre fuselage, and horizontal stabiliser, by LMOSC. The kits will be manufactured in Marietta, Georgia, as well as other locations in the US.
The 35.61m-long P-3C maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft has been designed to support missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as search-and-rescue and drug interdiction.
Airbus Defence and Space currently offers full in-service support for the German Navy’s P-3C Orion fleet.
Image: Lockheed Martin-built P-3C Orion maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Sgt Gary Coppage.
