The South Korean navy has taken delivery of the first of eight Lockheed Martin PC-3 Orion aircraft to be upgraded by Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL- ASD).

The work saw the aircraft receive improved radar, communications, acoustic devices, and other digitized systems, says Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration in a statement.

The upgrade is aimed at making the eight aircraft more capable at the antisubmarine warfare mission, adds DAPA. Deliveries of the remaining seven aircraft will be concluded in 2017, it adds.

In May 2013, KAL- ASD tapped L-3 Mission Integration to help with the upgrades. The work sees the eight Lot 1 aircraft upgraded to match the navy’s eight Lot 2 P-3Cs.

L-3 Mission Integration designed the upgrades, which were installed by Korean Air in South Korea.

Source: FlightGlobal.com