Aging Orions limp to the finish

[unhappycamper]

P-8s on the horizon
Navy works to extend P-3's service life.


Aging Orions limp to the finish
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 17, 2008 5:48:26 EST

Nearly one year after the Navy grounded about 25 percent of its P-3 Orion maritime patrol fleet, those troubled aircraft are starting to emerge from the depot pipeline and return to service.

But whether the aging planes can survive until their replacements come isn’t certain.

“We sure hope the worst is behind us,” said Rear Adm. Bill Moran, commander of Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, the Norfolk, Va.-based command that oversees both Atlantic and Pacific patrol and reconnaissance squadrons. “But in aviation, you learn never to be surprised.”

The Navy has four years before it starts replacing P-3s with next-generation maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon. And keeping the aging fleet — the average P-3 is 29 years old — up and running is proving to be no small task.

The challenge intensified in December, when the 39 aircraft — one quarter of the Navy’s 160 P-3s — were grounded because of fears that wing sections suffering “structural fatigue” could break off in flight. Another P-3 was grounded in March.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/navy_orions_111708/%2e

[Rebellious Republican]

1. Now I am feeling old!

Thanks for the post, thats my old airplane.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. That's the platform...

DemoTex made his bones in as well. Used to drive them.