After initiating the process of modernizing its P-3AM Orion maritime patrol aircraft, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) successfully concluded the inaugural flight of the first unit with a new wing assembly on May 2nd from Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
The work, representing a milestone in Brazil’s aeronautical industry, was carried out by the defense company Akaer. The tasks included the replacement of various elements of the aircraft wings, including replacing upper skin panels, front and rear spars, and upper and lower panels of the center wing boxes, among other modifications.
Operated by the FAB since 2011, the P-3 AM Orion aircraft are deployed for surveillance and control of Brazil’s Exclusive Economic Zone, a maritime strip that can encompass up to 4.5 million square kilometers. In this regard, Akaer’s CEO, César Silva, stated, “We are proud to be part of this program. The new wings of the P-3AM Orion represent not only a technological advancement but also a symbol of our capabilities as a nation.”
To carry out the refurbishment work, personnel from the Akaer company underwent specialized training in the United States to modernize the P-3s. This enabled the wing assemblies to be worked on at the company’s facilities in São José dos Campos (SP) before being assembled on the aircraft at the Galeão Aeronautical Material Park in Rio de Janeiro.
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