GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has received its third P-3 Orion with a new Mid-Life Upgrade kit from Lockheed Martin.
The aircraft joins two additional upgraded P-3s that CBP is operating to support homeland security missions. Lockheed Martin delivered the first CBP MLU P-3 in July 2010 and the second airplane in April 2011.
From October 2010 to April 2011, CBP used P-3 Orions to stop more than 117,000 pounds of illegal drugs worth more than $1.5 billion from entering the United States.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection missions are essential in strengthening our nation's safety," said Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin P-3 Programs and Greenville Operations vice president.
"Lockheed Martin is committed to partnering with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection team to provide affordable enhancements that will keep its P-3 Orion fleet operating at optimal performance levels for decades to come."
The MLU replaces all fatigue-life-limiting structures with enhanced-design components and incorporates a new metal alloy that is five times more corrosion-resistant than the original material. The MLU also removes current aircraft flight restrictions and extends the structural service life of the P-3 up to 15,000 hours, adding more than 20 years of operational use.
CBP is under contract with Lockheed Martin to deliver 14 of its 16 P-3 Orions outfitted with MLU kits. Deliveries will occur through 2015. Lockheed Martin has 71 MLU kits under contract with six operators from four nations.
