Lockheed Martin team delivers upgraded P-3 Orion to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) engineers have delivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a P-3 Orion with new Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications.The P-3 MLU replaces all fatigue life-limiting structure with enhanced-design components and includes a new metal alloy that is five times more corrosion resistant than the original material, reducing the cost of ownership for P-3 operators. The upgrade removes current aircraft flight restrictions and extends the structural service life of the P-3 to up to 15,000 hours, adding more than 20 years of operational use.
"This delivery continues to underscore our unique modification, maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability," says Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin vice president for Modification, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MMRO) Greenville Site and Field Team Operations.
This delivery marks the seventh CBP P-3 that the Lockheed Martin team has delivered ahead of or on schedule from its facility in Greenville, S.C., since July 2010. In 2012, CBP P-3s flew more than 6,500 flight hours resulting in the seizure of more than 117,000 pounds of narcotics valued at $8.7 billion.
The P-3 Orion, the standard for maritime patrol and reconnaissance, is used for homeland security, hurricane reconnaissance, anti-piracy operations, humanitarian relief, search and rescue, intelligence gathering, antisubmarine warfare, and, recently, to assist in air traffic control and natural disaster relief support.

Embraer, Sierra Nevada defend Super Tucano’s second LAS victory

Embraer and Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) have defended the selection of the A-29 Super Tucano for a US Air Force contract to supply light attack aircraft to Afghanistan.
"In evaluating the competitors, the US Air Force looked at three criteria, in priority order: mission capability, past performance and pricing in order to determine overall best value," the two companies said in a joint statement. "The A-29 received an exceptional rating on technical capability and low-risk in all other categories."
The statement follows a protest to the US General Accounting Office filed by Beechcraft, which had proposed the AT-6 Texan II for the $427 million requirement for 20 aircraft. Beechcraft claims there were errors in the acquisition process, although it has yet to provide details.
This is the second time the Super Tucano has won the competition. After it won in 2012, however, the deal was annulled after the USAF discovered irregularities in the acquisition process.
The Embraer/Sierra Nevada statement had this to say about the competition: "In announcing the award, the air force stated 'this award is the result of a full and open competition' and Lt Gen CR Davis, military deputy for acquisition in Air Force headquarters, said: 'I am confident that the source selection process was disciplined and meticulous'.