P-3 Orion
Categories: U.S. patrol aircraft 1950-1959
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a patrol aircraft of the United States military used primarily for anti-submarine warfare. It is also used by the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Canadian Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
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Design
The P-3 Orion is based on the Lockheed L-188 Electra. The first production version, designated P3V-1, first flew 15 April 1961, but by the time the first deliveries were made in 1962, the unified designation system made this the P-3.
Over the years, many variants have been developed.
The P-3 Orion has found special use as an earth-science suborbital research platform for NASA. Known as callsign NASA 426, this aircraft is located at Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia.
The P-3 is slated for replacement between 2010-2013 by the Boeing MMA, based upon their 737 civilian aircraft. Australia is considering both the MMA and a navalized version of the Global Hawk as a replacement.
Variants
- P-3A: The original production version; 157 built.
- P-3A (CS): Four with better radar, for the US Customs.
- EP-3A: Seven modified for electronic reconnaissance testing.
- NP-3A: Three modified for the US Naval Research Laboratory.
- RP-3A: Two modified for scientific uses, for the Oceanographic Development Squadron at [[NAS Patuxent River].]
- TP-3A: 12 modified for training duties, with all the ASW gear removed.
- UP-3A: 38 used as utility transports, with all the ASW gear removed.
- VP-3A: Three WP-3As and two P-3As converted into VIP/staff transports.
- WP-3A: Four converted for weather reconnaissance.
- P-3B : The second main production version.
- EP-3B : Two P-3As converted into ELINT aircraft, during the Vietnam War.
- NP-3B : One P-3B converted into a testbed, for the US Naval Research Liboratory.
- P-3C : The third main production version.
- P-3C Update I : With new and improved avionics, 31 built.
- P-3C Update II : With infra-red detection, sonobuoy reference systems, and able to carry the Harpoon anti-ship missile, 44 built.
- P-3C Update II.5 : 24 aircraft with more reliable navigation and communications equipment.
- P-3C Update III : 50 aircraft with new acoustic processor, sonobuoy receiver, and improved APU.
- P-3C Update IV: AIP(US)/UIP(RNoAF)
- AP-3C : Upgrade version for the (Royal Australian Air Force).
- EP-3C : ELINT aircraft for the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force.
- NP-3C : One P-3C converted into a testbed for the US Naval Research Liboratory.
- RP-3C : One P-3C modified to replace the RP-3A.
- UP-3C : Two utility versions for the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force.
- RP-3D : One P-3C modified for atmospheric research, to collect atmospheric data.
- WP-3D: Two P-3Cs modified for NOAA weather research, including hurricane hunting.
- EP-3E Aries : 10 P-3As and 2 EP-3Bs converted into ELINT aircraft.
- EP-3E Aries II : 12 P-3Cs converted into ELINT aircraft.
- NP-3E : Various aircraft used for tests.
- P-3F : Six P-3C Orions delivered to the Imperial Iranian Air Force in the late 1970s.
- P-3G : The original designation of the Lockheed P-7.
- P-3H : Proposed P-3C upgrade.
- EP-3J : Two modified from P-3A's for FEWSG use.
- P-3K : five aircraft originally of P3B standard but subsquently updated, delivered to New Zealand in 1965-67, replacing Short Sunderlands. The original P3Ks are operated by No. 5 Squadron RNZAF from Whenuapai, Auckland together with a P3B purchased from the Royal Australian Air Force and brought up to P3K standard. The aircraft were recently re-winged and are undergoing a further round of avionics and sensor updates in 2005.
- P-3N : Two P-3B modified for coastguard missions for the RNoAF.
- P-3P : Six ex-RAAF P-3Bs for the Portuguese Air Force.
- P-3W : 20 P-3C-IIs for the RAAF, fitted with AQS-901 processors, and the Barra sonobuoy system.
- P-3AEW&C : Three ex-RAAF P-3Bs were converted into airborne early warning and control aircraft. The P-3AEW&Cs are used by the US Customs for anti-drug patrols.
- CP-140 Aurora : Longe-range maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the Canadian Armed Forces.
- CP-140A Arcturus : Three CP-140 Auroras modified to carry out coastal patrols. All the ASW equipment has been removed.
Specifications (P-3 Orion)
General characteristics
- Crew: 11
- Length: 116.58 ft (35.57 m)
- Wingspan: 99.50 ft (30.36 m)
- Height: 33.58 ft (10.27 m)
- Wing area: 1300 ft² (120.8 m²)
- Empty: 61,500 lb (27,900 kg)
- Loaded:
- Maximum takeoff: 139,760 lb (63,400 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × Allison T56-A-14 turboprops, 4,600 shp (3,700 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 466 mph (745 km/h)
- Combat range: 2,700 miles (4,400 km)
- Ferry range: 5,600 miles (9,000 km)
- Service ceiling: 28,300 ft (8,600 m)
- Rate of climb: 3,140 ft/min (957 m/min)
For sub-antarctic missions, the RNZAF shut down an engine once cruising altitude has been acheived to extend the range by conserving fuel.
Armament
- Bombs: 20,000 lb (9,000 kg)
- Missiles: AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-65 Maverick
- Other: MK-46, MK-50 torpedoes, Mines, Depth charges
External links
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