Advertisement

Norwegian EEZ

The Government of Norway recently signed a $95 million contract with Lockheed Martin to build new production service life extension kits for 6 Royal Norwegian Air Force P-3 Orion long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and offer engineering and other support. It’s estimated that the SLEP will add more than 15,000 flying hours to each aircraft, representing 20-25 additional years of service covering NATO operations and Norway’s large over-water economic exclusion zone. Lockheed Martin’s release adds that it will also lift flying restrictions currently imposed on the global P-3 Orion fleet due to aging problems.

In order to accomplish these goals, the program aims to replace all “fatigue life limiting” structures with enhanced design components and improved, corrosion resistant materials. The Norwegian life extension kit draws on the November 2005 developments covered in “Lockheed Opens Wing Production Line to Keep P-3 Orions Flying”; replacements will include the outer wings, the center wing lower surface, horizontal stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer leading edges, and nacelle components. By using more corrosion resistant materials as part of this process, Norway’s program also aims to lower future maintenance requirements for its P-3 fleet and improve aircraft availability for missions.