
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week flew the first P-3 Orion fully retrofitted with improved Rolls-Royce engine kits that increase fuel efficiency and performance.The company hopes the successful flight test will open the door to contracts for retrofits to other P-3 fleets and the Air Force’s C-130s, which Rolls-Royce said could save the service a total $2 billion.NOAA became the launch customer for what Rolls calls the Series 3.5 program designed as a depot-level overhaul to the T56…