P-3 Orion

P-3 Orion
U.S. Navy P-3C Orion assigned to VP-22
Role	Maritime patrol aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Lockheed
First flight	25 November 1959
Introduction	1962
Status	Active
Primary users	United States Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Royal Australian Air Force Republic of Korea Navy
Number built	Lockheed – 650, Kawasaki – 107, Total – 757
Unit cost	USD$36 million (FY1987)
Developed from	Lockheed L-188 Electra
Variants	CP-140 Aurora WP-3D Orion EP-3E Aries II

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft used by numerous militaries around the world, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.

[edit] Development

The P-3 Orion, originally designated P3V, is based on the same design philosophy as the Lockheed L-188 Electra. It is not the same plane structurally. It has had seven feet of fuselage removed fore of the wings, as well as myriad internal, external, and airframe production technique enhancements. It served as the replacement for the postwar era P-2 Neptune. The Orion is powered by four Allison T56 turboprops which give it a speed comparable to fast propeller powered fighters, or even slow turbofan jets such as the A-10. Many other countries have seen the value of this platform design and have developed similar patrol aircraft based on this model, with the Soviets adapting their own counterpart to the Orion, the Ilyushin Il-38. The P-3 also competes with the British Hawker Siddeley Nimrod adaptation of the de Havilland Comet and the French Breguet Atlantique.

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. Paint schemes have changed from overall postwar blue, to 1960s white and grey, and 1980s low visibility gray. Over the years more than 40 combatant & non combatant variants have been developed due to the rugged reliability displayed by the platform flying 12 hour plus missions 200 feet (61 m) AGL over salt water while maintaining an excellent safety record. Versions have been developed for the NOAA for research and hurricane hunting/wall busting, Customs for drug interdiction missions, NASA for research and development. The CIA has several for aerial surveillance, and agent/leaflet delivery. Aerial surveillance with a rotodome adapted from the E-2 Hawkeye. The United States Navy's P-3s are slated for replacement between 2010–2013 by the P-8 Poseidon, based upon the Boeing 737 civilian aircraft.

[edit] Design

P-3A of VP-49 in the original blue/white colours

Underside view of a P-3C showing the MAD (rear boom) and external sonobuoy launch tubes (grid of black spots towards the rear)

Allison T56-A-14 prop

The P-3 has an internal bomb bay under the front fuselage which can house conventional and/or special (nuclear) weapons, as well as underwing stations, or pylons, which can carry various armament configurations including AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65 Maverick, Mark 50 torpedo, Mark 46 torpedo, precision surface attack AGM-12 Bullpup guided missile, 5 in (12.7cm) Zuni rocket, and various other mines, missiles, and gravity bombs.

[edit] Crew complement in U.S. service

Ten to twelve crew members.

1. Patrol Plane Commander ("PPC")
2. Co-pilot ("2P")
3. Third-pilot ("3P")
4. Flight Engineer (FE)
5. Second Flight Engineer (2FE)
6. Tactical Coordinator (TACCO)
7. Navigator/Communicator (NAV/COM)
8. Acoustic Sensor Operator 1 (Sensor 1)
9. Acoustic Sensor Operator 2 (Sensor 2)
10. Non-acoustic Sensor Operator, Radar/MAD (Sensor 3)
11. In-flight Technician (IFT)
12. Ordnanceman (ORD) – no longer used; IFT has assumed duties

During tactical or training missions, the flight crew's senior aeronautically designated officer is further designated as the Mission Commander (MC). Either the PPC or the TACCO will be designated the MC.

The combatant P-3s, while not necessarily identical, share many basic characteristics. A passive, and active sonar system with supporting computers, acoustic processors, and recorders. Many types of sonobuoys can be fired from externally loaded tubes (P-3C and later) or from inside the fuselage into the water below. Once the buoy hits the water the transducer array deploys and the sound in the water is transmitted by the buoy up to the acoustic sensor operators’ station in the aircraft. The non acoustic operator (sensor 3) handles the radars, electronic support measures, infra red & optics turret, and the long 'stinger' in the tail which houses the magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), and convex windows for observation. All of this data is analyzed by the Aviation Warfare Systems Operators (AWs, sensor operators) to determine the contact, or contacts, type, condition, spatial orientation, vector. They also handle certain types of communication. All of this data is sent to the Tactical Coordinator (TACCO).

Other operators have a varying number of crew on board, depending on their equipment fitout and aircraft role. For example, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft do not have a dedicated Ordnancemen, with that role on the aircraft being supplied by spare crew members from any of the other categories. Also, the RAAF aircraft operate with an ESM operator (Sensor 4), a Sensor Employment Manager (SEM) and a second Flight Engineer (with no In-Flight technician)

[edit] Engine loiter shutdown

On many missions, an engine is shut down (usually engine 1 - the port outer engine) once on station to conserve fuel and extend the time aloft (and range when at low level). On occasion, both outboard engines can be shut down, aircraft weight, weather, and remaining fuel permitting. Long border patrol missions can last over ten hours and may include extra crew. The record for a P-3 is a 21.5 hour flight undertaken by the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 5 Squadron in 1972.

Engine 1 is the primary candidate for loiter shutdown because it is the only one without a generator, and is not needed for electrical power. Eliminating the exhaust from engine 1 also improves visibility from the observer stations on the port side of the aircraft.

[edit] Operational history

P-3B of VP-6 near Hawaii

US P-3C Orion of VP-8

EP-3E Aries II, 2006

Developed during the Cold War, the P-3's primary mission was to track and eliminate ballistic and fast attack submarines in the event of war. Reconnaissance missions in international waters led to occasions where Soviet fighters would "bump" a P-3. On one occasion in the 1980s the MIG and pilot did not survive the "bump" while trying to ward off a P-3 photographing a Soviet fleet exercise. The P-3 lost more than 10 feet (3.0 m) of its wing in the collision. The P-3 completed its mission and returned to base.

Cuban Missile Crises

In October 1962 P-3s flew several blockade patrols.

Vietnam 

Operation Market Time

In 1964 P-3s started a variety of missions. Coastal patrols to stem the supply of materials to the Viet Cong by sea. Feet dry for several missions. During one an artillery shell passed through a P-3 without rendering it mission incapable. During an overland mission it is rumored that a P-3 shot down a MIG with Zuni’s.

China

From 1963 to 1967 three P-3s were painted black and modified on behalf of the CIA, to operate from Taiwan over and around China.^{[citation needed]} While conducting several psywar, agent/leaflet drops, and reconnaissance missions one of the P-3s are reputed to have shot down a Chinese MiG.^{[citation needed][dubious – discuss]}

Iraq

Desert Shield / Desert Storm

August 2nd, 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait and was poised to strike Saudi Arabia. Within forty eight hours of the initial invasion of Kuwait P-3’s were the first American forces to arrive. One of these responding P-3s was a prototype known as “Outlaw Hunter”. “Outlaw Hunter” was undergoing trials in the Pacific after being developed by the Navy’s Space & Naval Warfare Systems Command. It was testing a specialized OTH-T (over the horizon targeting system package) when it responded. Within hours of the start of the coalition air campaign, “Outlaw Hunter” detected a large number of Iraqi patrol boats and naval vessels attempting to make a run from Basra & Umm Qasar to Iranian waters. “Outlaw Hunter” vectored in strike elements which attacked the flotilla near Bubiyan Island destroying 11 vessels and damaging scores more. During Desert Shield a P-3 using infrared imaging detected a ship with Iraqi markings beneath freshly painted bogus Egyptian markings, trying to avoid detection. Several days before the January 7, 1991 Desert Storm the ISAR P-3 conducted coastal surveillance along Iraq and Kuwait to provide prestrike reconnaissance on military installations. Fifty-five of the one hundred and eight Iraqi vessels destroyed during the conflict were targeted by P-3.^[1]

Hainan Island incident

In April 2001 an aerial collision between a United States Navy EP-3E Aries II, a signals reconnaissance version of the P-3C and a People's Liberation Army Navy J-8IIM fighter resulted in an international incident between the United States and China. The J-8IIM crashed and its pilot was killed.The EP-3 made an emergency landing on Hainan, and the crew and plane were detained by Chinese authorities.

Pakistan

In late 2006, the US announced the intention to sell three P-3C Orions equipped with the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 AEW system to the Pakistan Navy, along with 10 regular P-3Cs. The AEW aircraft will provide Pakistan with search surveillance and control capability for maritime operations.^[2]

[edit] Civilian uses

Aero Union P-3A Orion taking off from Fox Field, Lancaster, California, to fight the North Fire.

NOAA WP-3D Hurricane Hunters

P-3C of the German Navy

P-3C of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

RNZAF P-3KII in Antartica, 2006

P-3AEW&C to track drug couriers

Canadian CP-140 Aurora in June 2007

Several P-3s have been N-registered and are operated by civilian agencies. The United States Customs Service has a number of P-3A and P-3Bs used for maritime patrol. NOAA operates two WP-3D variants specially modified for hurricane research. One P-3B, N426NA, is used by NASA as an Earth science research platform, primarily for the NASA Science Mission Directorate's Airborne Science Program. It is based at Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.

Aero Union, Inc. operates eight P-3As configured as air tankers, which are leased to the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and other agencies for firefighting use. A unique capability of the P-3 is that, on so-called "downhill runs," i.e. when the plane is commencing a low pass to drop fire retardant, it is possible to put the propellers into "Beta," which is reverse-thrust mode, in order to slow the plane for the drop.^{[citation needed]} Several of these aircraft were involved in the U.S. Forest Service airtanker scandal.

[edit] Variants

• P-3A: The original production version; 157 built.
• P-3A (CS): Four with better radar, for the United States Customs Service.
• EP-3A: Seven modified for electronic reconnaissance testing.
• NP-3A: Three modified for the U.S. 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 U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
• P-3BR: Modification to P-3A model for Brazilian Air Force. Eight aircraft with EADS avionics.^[3]
• 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: P-3C with Boeing Update 4 avionics suite. Update 4 was going to be common avionics interior for P-3Cs and its planned replacement aircraft, the Lockheed P-7 which never made it to production. One one P-3C was converted to UD4 interior and that aircraft was later stripped and turned into an Special Mission aircraft.
  • P-3C AIP(US)/UIP(RNoAF) interior modification to add ASQ-222 mission computer, ASQ-78A/B acoustics system, APS-137 ISAR radar
  • P-3C BMUP (US) 25 aircraft/CUP (RNlAF) interior modification to convert UD2 and UD2.5 to carry ASQ-227 mission computer and ASQ-78B acoustics suite
• EP-3: ELINT aircraft for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.
• NP-3C: One P-3C converted into a testbed for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
• RP-3C: One P-3C modified to replace the RP-3A.
• OP-3C: 10 P-3C converted to reconnaissance aircraft for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.
• UP-3C: Equipment test aircraft for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.
• UP-3D: ELINT training aircraft 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 former Imperial Iranian Air Force in the late 1970s; three aircraft still operational with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.
• 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 P-3B standard but subsequently updated, delivered to New Zealand in 1965-67, replacing Short Sunderlands. The original P-3Bs were operated by No. 5 Squadron RNZAF from Whenuapai, Auckland. These received part of the P-3C update II package and some local innovations, then being designated P-3K (for Kiwi), together with a P-3B purchased second hand from the Royal Australian Air Force and brought up to P-3K standard. The aircraft were recently re-winged and are undergoing a further round of avionics and sensor updates in 2005 (P-3KII).
• P-3N: Two P-3B modified for coast guard missions for the RNoAF.
• P-3P: Six ex-RAAF originally of P-3B standard but subsequently updated for the Portuguese Air Force. They are now being replaced by newer P-3C Update II.5 formerly operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy.
• P-3T: Two P-3A modified for Royal Thai Navy.
  • VP-3T: One P-3A modified for Royal Thai Navy VIP use and some surveillance operations.
• P-3W: Designation used internally by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to distinguish the first 10 P-3C aircraft procured in the P-3C Update 2 configuration (1978-79) from the second 10 aircraft which were procured in the Update 2.5 configuration (1982-83). The older aircraft were designated as P-3Cs and the newer aircraft P-3Ws. All were equipped with the British AQS-901 Acoustics Processor. Eventually with various system upgrades to the mission systems the two types mergerd into one and they are now all known as AP-3Cs.
• AP-3C: All the Royal Australian Air Force P-3C/W aircraft which have been fully upgraded with totally new mission systems by L-3 Communications to include an Elta SAR/ISAR RADAR and a GD-Canada Acoustic Processor system.
  • TAP-3: 3 modified B-models for training duties with the Royal Australian Air Force, with all the ASW gear removed and passenger seating installed. Removed from service with the full introduction into service of the AP-3C Simulator. Designator reflected them as being 'Training Australian P-3'
• P-3CK: Designation of the eight former P-3B aircraft that the Republic of Korea Navy procured from the USN and which are in the process of being rebuilt with P-3C configuration wings and fitted with updated Mission System Equipment by Korea Aerospace Industries and L-3 Communications.
• P-3AEW&C (originally nicknamed "Sentinel"): Eight P-3B aircraft were converted into Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. The P-3AEW&Cs are used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for drug interdiction and homeland security missions. "Slicks" are P-3s with an optical sensor turret in the nose which often work with the AEW ships.
• CP-140 Aurora: Longe-range maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the Canadian Armed Forces. It is based on the P-3 Orion airframe, but mounts the more advanced electronics suite of the S-3 Viking.
• CP-140A Arcturus: Three CP-140s without the ASW equipment installed for Aurora crew training and various coastal patrol missions.
• Orion 21 proposed new-build and improved variant for P-3 Orion replacement; lost to Boeing P-8.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Military operators

Argentine Navy P-3B

P-3W, 11 Sqn RAAF, in 1990

P-3F of the Iranian Air Force

 Argentina

• Argentine Navy - 6 P-3B; based at Base Aeronaval Alte. Zar, Trelew

 Australia

• Royal Australian Air Force - 19 AP-3C (10 Sqn, 11 Sqn); based at RAAF Base Edinburgh

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force - 8 P-3AM(Upgraded) in 2008^{[citation needed]}; forming at Base Aerea de Santa Cruz or Base Aerea de Salvador.

 Canada

• Canadian Forces Air Command - 24 CP-140 Aurora (P-3 Orion airframe with S-3 Viking electronics suite)

 Chile

• Chilean Navy - 4 P-3A; based at Base Aeronaval Torquemada, Con-Con

 Germany

• German Navy - 8 P-3C (ex Dutch Navy); based at NAS Nordholz, Marinefliegergeschwader 3 Graf Zeppelin

 Greece

• Hellenic Navy - 6 P-3B; based at Eleusina Air Base

 Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force - 5 P-3F (71ASW SQN); based at Shiraz International Airport (Shahid Douran Air Base)

 Japan

• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force - 101 P-3C, 5 EP-3, 1 UP-3C, 3 UP-3D

 New Zealand

• Royal New Zealand Air Force - 6 P-3K (5 Sqn); based in RNZAF Base Auckland

 Norway

• Royal Norwegian Air Force - 4 P-3C, 2 P-3N (333 Sqn)

based in Andøya Air Station

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Navy - 10 P-3C; based in PAF Base Faisal, Karachi

 Portugal

• Portuguese Air Force - 5 P-3C (Squadron 601); based in Air Base 6 - Montijo

 Republic of China (Taiwan)

• Republic of China Navy (Taiwan) - 12 P-3C (Ordered to replace S-2 Tracker)^{[citation needed]}; based in Taoyuan Air Base

 South Korea

• Republic of Korea Navy - 8 P-3C, 8 P-3CK; based in Pohang Air Base, Cheju-Do Air Base

 Spain

• Spanish Air Force - 2 P-3A, 5 P-3B (bought second-hand from Norway); based at Morón Air Base

 Thailand

• Royal Thai Navy - 2 P-3T, 1 VP-3T; based at RTNAB U-Tapao (102 Sqn)

 United States

• United States Navy - 161 P-3C^[4]

[edit] Civilian operators

 United States

• United States Department of Homeland Security - 1 P-3 AEW; based at Corpus Christi, Texas^[5]

• Aero Union - 8 P-3A; based in at Chico, California^[6]

[edit] Specifications (P-3C Orion)

An armed US P-3C Orion

P-3s of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the United States Navy

General characteristics

• Crew: 11
• Length: 116 ft 10 in (35.6 m)
• Wingspan: 99 ft 8 in (30.4 m)
• Height: 33 ft 8.5 in (10.3 m)
• Wing area: 1300 ft² (120.8 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 0014-1.10 (Root) - NACA 0012-1.10 (Tip)
• Empty weight: 77,200 lb (35,000 kg)
• Loaded weight: 135,000 lb (61,400 kg)
• Useful load: 57,800 lb (26,400 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 142,000 lb (64,400 kg)
• Powerplant: 4× Allison T56-A-14(T56-A-10 in P-3A) turboprop, 4,600 shp (3,700 kW) each
• Propellers: Four-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller, 1 per engine
  • Propeller diameter: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 405 knots (750 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 330 knots (610 km/h)
• Range: 5,600 miles ferry (9,000 km)
• Service ceiling 34,000 ft (10,400 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,140 ft/min (16 m/s)
• Wing loading: 107 lb/ft² (530 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.03 hp/lb (0.06 kW/kg)

Armament

• Bombs: 20,000 lb (9,000 kg)
• Missiles: AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, the Standoff Land Attack Missile, AGM-65 Maverick
• Sonobuoys: 48 Pre-loaded, 50+ Deployable from inside
• Other: Mk 46, Mk 50 and MU90 Impact torpedoes, mines, depth charges

[edit] See also

• P-2 Neptune
  

Related development

• Lockheed L-188 Electra
• WP-3D Orion
• EP-3E Aries II
• CP-140 Aurora
• Lockheed P-7
  

Comparable aircraft

• P-8 Poseidon
• Avro Shackleton
• Breguet Atlantique
• Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod
• Ilyushin Il-38
• Kawasaki P-1
  

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of active United States military aircraft
• List of Lockheed aircraft
  

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

P-3 Orion

• P-3C fact file and P-3 history page on U.S. Navy site
• "P-3 Orion Research Group". Archived from the original on 2007-06-30.
• NASA Wallops Flight Facility Aircraft Office operators of the NASA P-3