The World Standard in Maritime Patrol Aircraft
The P-3 Orion is a peerless airborne hunter. Its reputation as the ultimate submarine finder was earned through nearly 50 years of service, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to round-the-clock, patrols throughout the Cold War.
With 435 aircraft worldwide operated by 21 governments and agencies in 17 countries, the P-3 remains a relied-upon asset today. Time and time again, the P-3 proves that it is remarkably well adapted for maritime patrol and support.
Recently, the P-3 provided support for Operation Unified Assistance in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina, Operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden, and the BP Horizon oil rig disaster in the U.S. No other aircraft is better suited for these missions.
P-3 Mid-Life Upgrade Program: Enabling operators for decades to come
Lockheed Martin's P-3 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) Program is the only certified, low-risk and cost-effective solution to extend aircraft service life. It greatly reduces the cost of ownership over the aircraft's extended service life.
The MLU Program consists of:
- A life extension kit, which replaces the aircraft outer wings, center wing lower section and horizontal stabilizer with new production components
- The removal of all current P-3 airframe flight restrictions to provide 15,000 additional flight hours and cost effectively enhance capabilities
- Replacing all fatigue life-limiting structures on the aircraft with enhanced design components and new, improved corrosion-resistant materials
