GREENVILLE, S.C., 30 Jan. 2012. Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] engineers have delivered the fourth P-3 Orion with new Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications to U.S. Customs and Border Protection two months ahead of schedule. Engineers at Lockheed Martin's Greenville facility completed the MLU installation and phase depot maintenance (PDM) in 11 months. 

This delivery marks the fourth MLU P-3 delivery to CBP in 18 months. It joins the CBP P-3 MLU fleet in support of homeland security and drug interdiction missions.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection missions are vital in protecting and strengthening our nation's security," says John Norris, Lockheed Martin P-3 CBP program manager. "Through a strategic partnership, Lockheed Martin provides the U.S. Customs and Border Protection team with affordable enhancements to keep its P-3 Orion fleet operating at optimal performance levels for decades to come."

The MLU 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. The P-3 Orion is the standard for maritime patrol and reconnaissance, and 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.