Lockheed Martin to modernize Greek P-3B aircraft

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has given Lockheed Martin a $141.9 million contract to support Greece's P-3B modernization program.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will reactivate one P-3B aircraft and supply hardware kits for upgrades and modernization of four additional P-3B aircraft.

The contract also includes phased depot maintenance, updated avionics systems, additional hardware and a Greece indigenous mission integration and management system. Work on the contract will be performed at various locations in Greece and also in South Carolina and Maryland.

Work is expected to be complete in July 2019.

The Lockheed Martin-made P-3B is a four-engine turboprop maritime surveillance aircraft designed with long-range anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The planes were initially developed as land-based patrol craft, however various updates to the planes were done to make the P-3 more suited for surveillance operations.

The U.S. Navy uses the latest variant, the P-3C for maritime surveillance missions.