P-3 Orion

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a patrol aircraft of the United States military used primarily for anti-submarine warfare.

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: original production version; 157 built
• P-3A (CS): four with better radar, for US Customs
• EP-3A: seven modified for electronic reconnaissance testing
• NP-3A: three modified for US Naval Research Laboratory
• RP-3A: two modified for scientific uses, for Oceanographic Development Squadron at NAS Patuxent River
• TP-3A: 12 modified for training, ASW gear removed
• UP-3A: 38 used as utility transports, 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
• EP-3B
• NP-3B
• P-3C
  • Update I
  • Update II
  • Update II.5
  • Update III
  • Update IV
  • AP-3C upgrade (Royal

Australian Air Force)

• EP-3C
• NP-3C
• RP-3C
• UP-3C
• RP-3D
• WP-3D: two modified for NOAA weather research, including hurricane hunting
• EP-3E Aries
• EP-3E Aries II
• NP-3E
• P-3F
• P-3G
• P-3H
• EP-3J: two modified from P-3A's for FEWSG use
• P-3K: five delivered to New Zealand
• P-3N
• P-3P
• P-3W
• P-3AEW&C
• CP-140 Aurora
• CP-140A Arcturus

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: 139,800 lb (63,400 kg)
• Powerplant: 4 × Allison T-56-A-14 turboprops, 4,900 hp (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)

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

• Navy.mil – Standard Aircraft Characteristics: P-3C Update II

Related content

See also:

• List of military aircraft of the United States