P-3 Orion
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The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a patrol aircraft of the United States military used primarily for anti-submarine warfare.
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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: 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 operated by 5 Squadron RNZAF from Whenupai, together with a P3B purchased from Australia and brought up to P3K standard.
- P-3N
- P-3P
- P-3W
- P-3AEW&C
- CP-140 Aurora
- CP-140A Arcturus
Specifications (P-3 Orion)
P-3C_Orion.jpg
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 (http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/p-3c.pdf)
Related content
See also:
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