Lockheed Martin has awarded a contract to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Northstar Network, for work on the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The contract, called a master purchase order (MPO), with a value of more than $6 million covers 48 aircraft and extends to 2012. Individual purchase orrders for components are issued under the umbrella of the MPO.

"Interest in extending the service life of the world's P-3 fleet has increased as a result of the P-3 Structural Life Assessment Program, which disclosed the P-3 was accumulating fatigue damage faster than expected," said Rick Kirkland, head of Lockheed Martin's maritime surveillance enterprise. "There are numerous international and U.S. P-3 customers that will require P-3 life extension kits to sustain their aircraft," he said.

The company will manufacture components for new production service life extension kits for this Lockheed Martin service life extension program. These components will add more than 15,000 flying hours to each aircraft, which translates into 15 to 20 additional years of service for this maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

Northstar's affiliate, CHC Composites Inc., a division of CHC Helicopter Corporation, will be the key subcontractor on this program. Northstar Network Ltd. is a system integrator and supply chain manager that, together with its more than 25 affiliated companies and educational institutions, offers capabilities in systems integration, precision machining and electronic contract manufacturing.

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