EAGAN, Minn., June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) received a $36.4 million contract to deliver and install two additional P-3C Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP) kits and install three previously-ordered kits for the U.S. Navy's P-3C Update II.5 maritime patrol aircraft.
In conjunction with a three-kit contract received in July 2004, the latest order from the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD, will permit installation of the AIP upgrade kits on five of the service's Update II.5 aircraft. All work is expected to be completed by December 2007. If additional contract options are exercised this year, the total award may reach $55.9 million.
"We are pleased to provide the Navy with essential upgrades that ensure the P-3 aircraft continues serving successfully on the front lines of our nation's defense," said Richard F. Ambrose, president of the Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors' Tactical Systems line of business. "And by extending the upgrades to the Update II.5 aircraft, the Navy has greater flexibility to cover its various missions with the improved surveillance capabilities."
The AIP upgrades draw on the latest commercial-off-the-shelf and non-developmental technology to provide the U.S. Navy P-3C with the next generation of mission capability. Update II/II.5 aircraft are older P-3C models; the AIP update program first concentrated on updating later model P-3C aircraft, and will now begin focusing on the earlier aircraft.
Since 1994, Lockheed Martin has been the prime contractor and systems integrator for the aircraft's avionics, including non-acoustic sensors, communications, survivability and displays and controls. New workstations, satellite communication capabilities, and enhanced radar, optical and infrared sensors now significantly increase the P-3C's surveillance role. With these new capabilities, the aircraft has been used extensively in all major U.S. combined forces operations, including those in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia and others associated with the global war on terrorism.
The P-3 is the primary maritime surveillance aircraft operated by the U.S. Navy and 15 international allies. Its roles include anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; command, control, communications, computers and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; search and rescue; drug interdiction; and exclusive economic zone protection.
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.