Lockheed P-3C Orion Aircraft Data
Photo ID 206976 by Thomas Ziegler - Aviation-Media. Germany Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 60 06
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily distinguished from the Electra by its distinctive tail stinger or "MAD Boom", used for the magnetic detection of submarines.
Over the years, the aircraft has seen numerous design developments, most notably in its electronics packages. Numerous navies and air forces around the world continue to use the P-3 Orion, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. A total of 757 P-3s have been built, and in 2012, it joined the handful of military aircraft including the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Lockheed U-2 that have seen over 50 years of continuous use by the United States military. The P-8A Poseidon will eventually replace the U.S. Navy's remaining P-3C aircraft.

The P-3C version is the most capable Orion version, first delivered to the US Navy in 1969. The Navy implemented a number of major improvements to the P-3C (Updates I, II, II.5 and III) during its production run. P-3C aircraft communication, navigation, acoustic, non-acoustic and ordnance/weapon systems are still being modernized within several improvement programs to satisfy Navy and joint requirements through the early part of the 21st century.
  • Country of Origin: United States
  • First Flight: 1959
  • Initial Service Date:
  • No. Built: 757
  • No. In Service: 757 (approx.)
  • No. of Hardpoints: 10
  • Crew: 11

Power:

4 × Allison T56-A-14 turboprop at 4,600 hp

Weapons:

Missiles: Air-to-surface missile: AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84 Standoff Land Attack Missile SLAM-ER
Bombs: Depth charges, Mk 101 Lulu nuclear depth bomb, MK20 Rockeye, MK80 Series (MK82, MK83, MK84) general purpose bombs, B57 nuclear bomb US service only

Dimensions:

Length: 116 ft 10 in.
Wing Span: 99 ft 8 in.
Wing Area: 1,300 sq.ft
Height: 38 ft 8 in.
Empty Weight: 77,200 lbs
Max. Weight: 142,000 lbs
Max. Ordnance Load: 135,000 lbs

Performance:

Max. Speed: 411 mph
Cruise Speed: 328 mph
Service Ceiling: 28,300 ft.
Normal Range: 2,380 nm
Max. Range: 4,830 nm

Operators:

Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Chile; Canada; Germany; Greece; Iran; Japan; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Pakistan; Portugal; South Korea; Thailand; United States.

Random great photos of the Lockheed P-3C Orion:

Photo ID 124354 by Baldur Sveinsson. USA Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 161131
Photo ID 119122 by Baldur Sveinsson. USA Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 160285
Photo ID 285463 by Christian Winkel. Germany Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 60 03
Photo ID 78631 by Arie van Groen. Netherlands Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 312
Photo ID 120237 by Baldur Sveinsson. USA Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 156520
Photo ID 96708 by Bart Hoekstra. USA Navy Lockheed P 3C Orion, 159318
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