Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) officials marked the delivery of the first CBP set of new production P-3 Orion wings from the company’s Marietta, Ga., production facility today. 

The new production wings are the cornerstone of the Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP) which provides an industry-unique solution in keeping the world’s P-3 fleets operational. P-3 operators selecting ASLEP will benefit from an additional 15,000+ flight hours per updated aircraft, extending the P-3’s service life 20-25 years.

“Lockheed Martin is extremely proud of its strong partnership with our Customs & Border Protection customer,” said Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin P-3/S-3 Programs vice president. “The CBP P-3 mission is truly unique, and vital to our nation’s homeland security initiatives. We are honored to play a role in supporting CBP.”

Under ASLEP, P-3 outer wings, center wing lower surface assembly, horizontal stabilizer, wing and horizontal stabilizer leading edges and various filet fairings are replaced. All necessary fatigue-life limiting structures are replaced, and new alloys are employed that provide a fivefold increase in corrosion resistance. ASLEP removes all current airframe flight restrictions on the P-3.

In April 2008, CBP contracted with Lockheed Martin under the P-3 Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP), ordering up to 14 all-new production wing life extension kits. To-date, CBP has placed firm orders for six life extension kits. Other ASLEP customers to date include Canada and Taiwan. The U.S. Navy has contracted with Lockheed Martin for 13 sets of P-3 outer wings.

US Customs and Border Protection, which operates sixteen specially modified P-3s for the country’s war on drugs from locations in Texas and Florida.