Ray Burick and Mark Jarvis reflect on the 2010 P-3 IOSC.
Showing posts with label P-3 Orion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label P-3 Orion. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Day 3 Photos
Last night, conference attendees enjoyed the IOSC dinner with keynote speaker, Major General Michael C. Kostelnik (Ret.), Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine. General Kostelnik discussed CBP's decision to re-wing 14 of their P-3s to keep them operating for 20-25 more years. He said CBP leadership examined their mission and determined that the P-3 was the best airframe to accomplish the mission, as long as the aircraft are safe and the systems are relevant.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
P-3 Aircraft Tour at Lockheed Martin
Today, conference attendees and Lockheed Martin employees had the opportunity to tour the Customs and Border Protection P-3 that was recently re-winged, as well as a U.S. Navy aircraft.
Ray Burick (middle, left), Lockheed Martin’s vice president of P-3 Programs, talks with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol crew members and Gen. Michael Kostelnik (front, right), assistant commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine.
Lockheed Martin employees tour the CBP aircraft.
Ray Burick (middle, left), Lockheed Martin’s vice president of P-3 Programs, talks with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol crew members and Gen. Michael Kostelnik (front, right), assistant commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine.
Lockheed Martin employees tour the CBP aircraft.Operator: Germany
Manfred Brunkowski from the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement introduced a contract recently awarded to ESG for the German P-3C Mission Support Center. Brunkowski is responsible of mission systems of the P-3.
Ingo Eickmann from ESG discussed the Mission Support Center in greater detail.
The system provides mission preparation and post-mission analysis to establish a common data base and archive. The data archives includes three classifications of information: geo (map and satellite images), object (ship or submarine information) and mission (from original task order through mission report).
The report generator can pre-fill the mission report with data, which can then be expanded upon by the crew after the mission.
The German Navy began using the preliminary systems in mid-2010, and expect final systems delivery in 2011.
Ingo Eickmann from ESG discussed the Mission Support Center in greater detail.
The system provides mission preparation and post-mission analysis to establish a common data base and archive. The data archives includes three classifications of information: geo (map and satellite images), object (ship or submarine information) and mission (from original task order through mission report).
The report generator can pre-fill the mission report with data, which can then be expanded upon by the crew after the mission.
The German Navy began using the preliminary systems in mid-2010, and expect final systems delivery in 2011.
Operator: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Lothar Eckardt and Rick High of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are the first briefing after lunch.
U.S. CBP P-3s operate out of Jacksonville, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas.
They showed a great video about the record-breaking fiscal year 2009. That year, CBP interdicted more than 250,000 pounds of narcotics - their best year ever. This includes seizing 29 vessels, 102,000 pounds of cocaine, 106 suspects and $12.4 million in cash. CBP P-3s were also the FEMA first responder to Hurricane Ike.
In the 2010 fiscal year, CBP disrupted and seized more than 197,000 pounds of narcotics. Their primary accomplishment in 2010 was increased availability, with 6 aircraft each on the ramps in Jacksonville and Corpus Christi. This allowed CBP to surpass flight hour requirements and achieve the most flight hours Jacksonville has ever achieved in a single year.
CBP P-3s are uniquely able to locate self-propelled semi-submersibles (SPSS), which are 60-85 feet long and difficult to find. Eckardt mentioned that the next threat will be self-propelled fully submersibles, although CBP has not found one yet.
CBP recently received its first re-winged aircraft from Lockheed Martin, which High said flies like a brand new aircraft. CBP plans to re-wing 14 of its 16 airplanes, allowing for 20 more years of operation.
Because of the relatively small P-3 fleet, CBP prefers to work with other operators to conduct joint projects that will help both operators save money. They are currently discussing full-motion video capability and cockpit upgrade projects with other operators and are open to other ideas.
U.S. CBP P-3s operate out of Jacksonville, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas.
They showed a great video about the record-breaking fiscal year 2009. That year, CBP interdicted more than 250,000 pounds of narcotics - their best year ever. This includes seizing 29 vessels, 102,000 pounds of cocaine, 106 suspects and $12.4 million in cash. CBP P-3s were also the FEMA first responder to Hurricane Ike.
In the 2010 fiscal year, CBP disrupted and seized more than 197,000 pounds of narcotics. Their primary accomplishment in 2010 was increased availability, with 6 aircraft each on the ramps in Jacksonville and Corpus Christi. This allowed CBP to surpass flight hour requirements and achieve the most flight hours Jacksonville has ever achieved in a single year.
CBP P-3s are uniquely able to locate self-propelled semi-submersibles (SPSS), which are 60-85 feet long and difficult to find. Eckardt mentioned that the next threat will be self-propelled fully submersibles, although CBP has not found one yet.
CBP recently received its first re-winged aircraft from Lockheed Martin, which High said flies like a brand new aircraft. CBP plans to re-wing 14 of its 16 airplanes, allowing for 20 more years of operation.
Because of the relatively small P-3 fleet, CBP prefers to work with other operators to conduct joint projects that will help both operators save money. They are currently discussing full-motion video capability and cockpit upgrade projects with other operators and are open to other ideas.
Operator: Portugal
Major Horacio Santos from the Portuguese Air Force is presenting about the P-3C CUP+ Upgrade.
Portugal is a small country, but has responsibility for a large sea area, so the PtAF has a great need for updated maritime patrol aircraft. The primary mission is maritime patrol, including submarines and surface ships. The secondary mission is search and rescue, but Major Santos suspects that their P-3 mission will be redefined when new capabilities are achieved with new mission systems.
The PtAF was able to work with Lockheed Martin MS2 in the lab during mission system software qualification tests, which Major Santos says was very helpful and suggests to other operators. They will have new hardware, radar, acoustic systems, data link, navigation, electronic warfare and many other new systems. The new systems will give the PtAF improved pictures, often with information or sensor output integrated. The PtAF is looking forward to fielding the upgraded aircraft to see how it operates. They are hoping to operate the P-3 CUP+ for 25 more years.
1st Lt. Filipe M. S. Pedro is now briefing about PtAF P-3 operation and sustainment.
The PtAF currently operates several different P-3 configurations, which fly 300-400 hours per year.
Current sustainment issues include the air multiplier, propellers, landing gear, drag struts and navigation units. He is looking for feedback from other operators regarding whether they have similar issues and how they are addressing them.
Portugal is a small country, but has responsibility for a large sea area, so the PtAF has a great need for updated maritime patrol aircraft. The primary mission is maritime patrol, including submarines and surface ships. The secondary mission is search and rescue, but Major Santos suspects that their P-3 mission will be redefined when new capabilities are achieved with new mission systems.
The PtAF was able to work with Lockheed Martin MS2 in the lab during mission system software qualification tests, which Major Santos says was very helpful and suggests to other operators. They will have new hardware, radar, acoustic systems, data link, navigation, electronic warfare and many other new systems. The new systems will give the PtAF improved pictures, often with information or sensor output integrated. The PtAF is looking forward to fielding the upgraded aircraft to see how it operates. They are hoping to operate the P-3 CUP+ for 25 more years.
1st Lt. Filipe M. S. Pedro is now briefing about PtAF P-3 operation and sustainment.
The PtAF currently operates several different P-3 configurations, which fly 300-400 hours per year.
Current sustainment issues include the air multiplier, propellers, landing gear, drag struts and navigation units. He is looking for feedback from other operators regarding whether they have similar issues and how they are addressing them.
Operator: Norway
Lt. Colonel OddArne Andreassen from the Royal Norwegian Air Force is giving a short presentation about the RNAF P-3 program.
RNAF is making some small modifications to the cockpit, but most of the work is being done on the Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP).
P-3Cs are being updated with new systems as well as the ASLEP. Lockheed Martin is manufacturing the RNAF ALSEP kit, and the wings are installed by IMP Aerospace.
First ASLEP delivery is expected for the first quarter of 2011.
RNAF is making some small modifications to the cockpit, but most of the work is being done on the Aircraft Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP).
P-3Cs are being updated with new systems as well as the ASLEP. Lockheed Martin is manufacturing the RNAF ALSEP kit, and the wings are installed by IMP Aerospace.
First ASLEP delivery is expected for the first quarter of 2011.
Operator: New Zealand
Flight Lieutenant Hilton Baker from the Royal New Zealand Air Force is presenting about RNZAF P-3 operations.
The RNZAF has six P-3s, which they plan to operate through 2025.
Current roles of the RNZAF P-3 vary and include anti-submarine warfare, disaster relief, airshows, surveillance and reconnaissance, and even aeromedical evacuation. They carry out operations across the world.
RNZAF challenges include radomes, weapon systems, acoustic processor and sea rescue obsolescence. The RNZAF has a System Upgrade Project that is underway to improve P-3 mission systems.
The RNZAF has six P-3s, which they plan to operate through 2025.
Current roles of the RNZAF P-3 vary and include anti-submarine warfare, disaster relief, airshows, surveillance and reconnaissance, and even aeromedical evacuation. They carry out operations across the world.
RNZAF challenges include radomes, weapon systems, acoustic processor and sea rescue obsolescence. The RNZAF has a System Upgrade Project that is underway to improve P-3 mission systems.
Operator: U.S. Navy MPRA
Captain Mike Moran from the U.S. Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft stressed that every dollar spent must improve ability to get P-3s into service. The U.S. Navy is looking to share investments across the force.
MPRA has two Integrated Project Teams for P-3: Airframe Sustainment and Mission Systems Sustainment. These IPTs work with the greater MPRA, including the P-8 team, to identify opportunities to benefit from shared investments.
Captain Moran said the team has had tremendous success with investments in acoustics that will be fielded on both the P-3 and P-8 platforms.
The future of the Navy's EP-3 is still unknown, but the Navy plans to sustain the EP-3 until a replacement is fielded (which could be 2020 or later). Captain Moran said the Navy will likely maintain 40 or so P-3 aircraft in the future, in addition to P-8 and unmanned systems.
Captain Moran reiterated Captain Rondeau's message: the Navy has much better P-3 availability compared to last year's IOSC. There are now about 80 airplanes on the ramp, up from 50 last year, and aircraft spend 92% less time awaiting depot.
Captain Moran said the U.S. Navy's fleet priorities are focused on regaining expertise in anti-submarine warfare and increasing readiness. More specifically, Captain Moran's priorities are to reduce turnaround time with depots, support missions and execute the program.
The U.S. Navy is currently investing in P-8 development, and some projects are done jointly with the P-3 program to keep the P-3 relevant and moving forward. In general, the Navy is moving toward interoperability with U.S. and joint forces.
Captain Moran said U.S. Navy P-3 program is dedicated to supporting international operators, as interoperability is key.
MPRA has two Integrated Project Teams for P-3: Airframe Sustainment and Mission Systems Sustainment. These IPTs work with the greater MPRA, including the P-8 team, to identify opportunities to benefit from shared investments.
Captain Moran said the team has had tremendous success with investments in acoustics that will be fielded on both the P-3 and P-8 platforms.
The future of the Navy's EP-3 is still unknown, but the Navy plans to sustain the EP-3 until a replacement is fielded (which could be 2020 or later). Captain Moran said the Navy will likely maintain 40 or so P-3 aircraft in the future, in addition to P-8 and unmanned systems.
Captain Moran reiterated Captain Rondeau's message: the Navy has much better P-3 availability compared to last year's IOSC. There are now about 80 airplanes on the ramp, up from 50 last year, and aircraft spend 92% less time awaiting depot.
Captain Moran said the U.S. Navy's fleet priorities are focused on regaining expertise in anti-submarine warfare and increasing readiness. More specifically, Captain Moran's priorities are to reduce turnaround time with depots, support missions and execute the program.
The U.S. Navy is currently investing in P-8 development, and some projects are done jointly with the P-3 program to keep the P-3 relevant and moving forward. In general, the Navy is moving toward interoperability with U.S. and joint forces.
Captain Moran said U.S. Navy P-3 program is dedicated to supporting international operators, as interoperability is key.
Operator: U.S. Navy
Captain Aaron Rondeau, the P-3 department head for PMA-290 for the U.S. Navy, presented first in the operator presentations this morning.
The U.S. Navy made significant gains in the last year to improve their P-3 airframe sustainment efforts. Since the 2009 P-3 IOSC, the U.S. Navy has increased P-3 aircraft mission availability by 34%. Captain Rondeau said this was largely because of improvements made at organic and commercial depots.
Captain Rondeau discussed several P-3 mission systems upgrades. The upgrades will provide significant capability improvements, including Link-16 communications, new acoustic hardware and software, digital autopilot, GPS, navigation and air traffic management systems.
He said the goal is to install software on the P-3s that is common or similar to the P-8, allowing for risk reduction and ease of transition.
The U.S. Navy is also focused on airframe sustainment, including depot support, fatigue tracking, inventory projections and liaison with international operators.
The Navy monitors the airframe through a corrosion and fatigue life management program. Airframe sustainment is a continuous process, and Captain Rondeau says the Navy is doing a lot better to keep more airplanes in the fleet.
The Navy tracks hazards and safety of the aircraft. Fatigue life is highest risk, so they monitor each individual airframe with hours, flight frequency and landing data. This helps them predict data for next six months to determine when aircraft may need to be repaired.
Overall, Captain Rondeau said the goal is to return airplanes to fleet and keep P-3 mission systems relevant.
The U.S. Navy made significant gains in the last year to improve their P-3 airframe sustainment efforts. Since the 2009 P-3 IOSC, the U.S. Navy has increased P-3 aircraft mission availability by 34%. Captain Rondeau said this was largely because of improvements made at organic and commercial depots.
Captain Rondeau discussed several P-3 mission systems upgrades. The upgrades will provide significant capability improvements, including Link-16 communications, new acoustic hardware and software, digital autopilot, GPS, navigation and air traffic management systems.
He said the goal is to install software on the P-3s that is common or similar to the P-8, allowing for risk reduction and ease of transition.
The U.S. Navy is also focused on airframe sustainment, including depot support, fatigue tracking, inventory projections and liaison with international operators.
The Navy monitors the airframe through a corrosion and fatigue life management program. Airframe sustainment is a continuous process, and Captain Rondeau says the Navy is doing a lot better to keep more airplanes in the fleet.
The Navy tracks hazards and safety of the aircraft. Fatigue life is highest risk, so they monitor each individual airframe with hours, flight frequency and landing data. This helps them predict data for next six months to determine when aircraft may need to be repaired.
Overall, Captain Rondeau said the goal is to return airplanes to fleet and keep P-3 mission systems relevant.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Distributors' role in P-3 sustainment
Steve Benz, vice president of business development at Blue Aerospace is speaking about the distributors' role in P-3 sustainment and customer support.
Steve says the world needs Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). For programs like the P-3, parts integration challenges are extremely significant. Customers want OEM parts and support, so Blue Aerospace and Kellstrom Industries support Lockheed Martin to deliver quality products to customers.
Steve said distributors are able to provide parts with OEM data and full range proactive customer support, including engineering and repair support.
Distributors can accommodate smaller sales requests on a part-by-part basis for P-3 operators. Blue and Kellstrom work with Lockheed Martin to provide spares and support, but distributors specialize in small requests as well as comprehensive support arrangements.
P-3 distributors act as force multipliers, with close ties to Lockheed Martin. They provide value by serving as a liaison between customers and Lockheed Martin, particularly for operators with small P-3 fleets. Distributors consolidate inventory across the P-3 fleet so they can deliver more affordable parts.
Benz said operators are best served by a combination of an active, disciplined distribution network, integrated OEM and well-designed Certified Parts Program.
Steve says the world needs Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). For programs like the P-3, parts integration challenges are extremely significant. Customers want OEM parts and support, so Blue Aerospace and Kellstrom Industries support Lockheed Martin to deliver quality products to customers.
Steve said distributors are able to provide parts with OEM data and full range proactive customer support, including engineering and repair support.
Distributors can accommodate smaller sales requests on a part-by-part basis for P-3 operators. Blue and Kellstrom work with Lockheed Martin to provide spares and support, but distributors specialize in small requests as well as comprehensive support arrangements.
P-3 distributors act as force multipliers, with close ties to Lockheed Martin. They provide value by serving as a liaison between customers and Lockheed Martin, particularly for operators with small P-3 fleets. Distributors consolidate inventory across the P-3 fleet so they can deliver more affordable parts.
Benz said operators are best served by a combination of an active, disciplined distribution network, integrated OEM and well-designed Certified Parts Program.
Ray Burick: Enabling Operational Effectiveness for Decades to Come
Ray Burick, vice president of P-3 programs for Lockheed Martin, has the first full presentation of the morning. His presentation is titled Enabling Operational Effectiveness for Decades to Come, which is also the theme of the conference.
Ray encourages attendees to interact with each other to acheive the IOSC mission: share collective successes and resolve challenges.
This year, Ray says he challenged Lockheed Martin presenters to give more detail about what the company does to enable operators to fly their aircraft.
The P-3 Orion has a broad operator community. More than 430 aircraft are still in service, with 21 operators in 17 nations. Each operator has different demands, depending on fleet size, so Lockheed Martin works to tailor offerings to operator requirements.
Lockheed Martin looks at three areas of support to sustain, refresh and support.
Ray's example of a customer that focuses on all three elements is U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sustainment includes organizations, intermediate, embedded support and depot maintainence.
The program has invested in researching the benefits of adding winglets to the P-3. There will be more detail of research investments in later presentations.
Ray encourages attendees to interact with each other to acheive the IOSC mission: share collective successes and resolve challenges.
This year, Ray says he challenged Lockheed Martin presenters to give more detail about what the company does to enable operators to fly their aircraft.
The P-3 Orion has a broad operator community. More than 430 aircraft are still in service, with 21 operators in 17 nations. Each operator has different demands, depending on fleet size, so Lockheed Martin works to tailor offerings to operator requirements.
Lockheed Martin looks at three areas of support to sustain, refresh and support.
Ray's example of a customer that focuses on all three elements is U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sustainment includes organizations, intermediate, embedded support and depot maintainence.
The program has invested in researching the benefits of adding winglets to the P-3. There will be more detail of research investments in later presentations.
Kicking Off Day 1
P-3 IOSC is kicking off this morning with lots of presentations including Mid-Life Upgrade Program, Technical Highlights and Airborne Mission Systems from Lockheed Martin. There will also be lots of discussion about sustainment, with speakers from Blue Aero, Rolls-Royce, IMP, OGMA, Australia Aerospace, JMSDF and Lockheed Martin.
Subcommittees will meet later this afternoon. There will be two subcommittees - Avionics/Mission Systems and Sustainment. We'll have more about the subcommittees and their progress later.
Subcommittees will meet later this afternoon. There will be two subcommittees - Avionics/Mission Systems and Sustainment. We'll have more about the subcommittees and their progress later.
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