Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion

The History of the Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is currently in service in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime patrol operations around the world, including the United States, where its primary customer is the United States Navy (USN). Since production began in 1962, about 757 of this model have been built, with Lockheed accounting for 650 and Japan's Kawasaki adding another 107 (local, licensed). The P-3 was developed from Lockheed's L-188 "Electra" personnel carrier, itself the origin of other designs including the AP-3C "Orion", CP-140 "Aurora", EP-3 and WP - 3D "Orion".

As of this writing (2017), the P-3 is active in USN inventory, although on paper it has been officially replaced by the P-8A "Poseidon" detailed elsewhere on this site.

Amazingly, the P-3 family has proven itself to be the workhorse of the fleet, amassing more than 50 years of consistent, reliable surface service. It has operators all over the world, from Argentina and Australia to Taiwan and Thailand.

It is undoubtedly one of the most important aircraft in the sky today.

New Zealand manages the P-3K and P-3K2 models, Norway manages the P-3M and P-3N models. Portugal is using the former Australian example P-3P. The registration numbers of the Thai Navy are P-3T and VP-3T.

Australians know the aircraft as the P-3W and other Australian forms become the AP-3C and TAP-3C. South Korea has deployed the P-3CK.

P-3AEWC refers to approximately eight P-3B variants converted to airborne early warning and control roles.

Canada operates P-3 Orion as CP-140 Aurora and CP-140A Arcturus. The latter lacks anti-submarine weaponry and is mainly used for training.

Lockheed calls the P-3 "the world standard for maritime patrol aircraft" and for good reason - nearly 20 military operators have them in active service. The P-3 has been in service since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and throughout the second half of the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

Provided additional combat service in the 1991 Iraq War, Operation Enduring Freedom (2001), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003), the Libyan Civil War (2011), and ongoing anti-piracy operations in Somali waters.

Apart from the arrival of the P-8 model, there is little evidence that the P-3 series will be phased out anytime soon. Lockheed's Mid-Term Upgrade (MLU) ensures that the P-3 remains a viable naval competitor in the near future.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes