The Brazilian air force has received the final responses to its request for proposals (RfP) for a Lockheed Martin P-3BR maritime patrol aircraft upgrade.
EADS CASA, Galileo Avionica and Lockheed Martin tendered proposals for the $300 million modernisation programme that includes airframe overhaul and systems upgrade of eight low-time P-3B Orions. The air force will use the aircraft for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and counterdrug tasks.
The winning bid will be selected next month, followed by contract signing in October.
The eight Orion airframes are currently at the US Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center in Tucson, Arizona, awaiting a decision. A further three aircraft have been acquired for spares, while a 12th aircraft will undergo airframe overhaul and minor systems upgrade for flight training duties.
The modification is expected to take 17 months, with most of the airframe and electronic systems work to be conducted at a Brazilian air force maintenance and logistics centre in Rio de Janeiro.
The air force had originally hoped to take delivery of the first modernised aircraft at the beginning of this year, but budgetary constraints led to a schedule slip and the first P-3BR is now expected to be handed over in mid-2004 and the last aircraft by early 2006.
Source: Flight International