Lockheed Martin (www.lockheedmartin.co.uk) has received a $158.5 million contract for the second phase of the German Navy’s P-3C Mission System Refresh programme; this is designed to upgrade the mission system processing suites on the fleet of eight P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and support the fleet’s operations through to 2035.

The Mission System Refresh is part of an overall fleet upgrade that includes structural mid-life upgrades as well as an upgrade to the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) cockpit capability.

Germany’s P-3C Orion Mission System Refresh programme will include the design, development, manufacture, integration, installation and test of the Lockheed Martin Airborne Tactical Mission System.

Most of the hardware and software design, manufacture and upgrades will be performed at Lockheed Martin sites in Owego (New York), Manassas (Virginia) and Marietta (Georgia).

Lockheed Martin’s Mike McGuire said: “The P-3 Orion has been the world standard in maritime surveillance for over 50 years.

"The Mission System Refresh provides critical surveillance capabilities, reduces the hard-ware footprint and supports continued future system sustainment.”