Lockheed P-3 Orion Mar2015: new wings are being made again!

[Stratofreighter]

...yes, this turboprop is still not down and out...

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/p ... 305ae.html

MARIETTA, Ga., March 5, 2015 -- Lockheed Martin restarted the wing production line for the P-3 Orion Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program for Canada and Chile on March 4.

The P-3 wing line was last in production in August 2014.

The gap in production extended the opportunities for global operators to assess their fleet needs.

The MLU replaces the outer wings, center wing, horizontal stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer leading edges.

All necessary fatigue life-limiting structures are replaced, leading to significantly reduced maintenance and sustainment costs.

New alloys are employed that provide a five-fold increase in corrosion resistance.

Due to the MLU, it will support operators for 20-25 more years.

In addition to Canada and Chile, other MLU customers include U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the U.S. Navy and Norway.