NAMBP UP-3A Orion on Museum Flightline

• Primary Function: Utility transport, with all ASW equipment removed.

• Manufacturer: Lockheed

• Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-10 turboprop engines producing 4300 shaft horsepower each.

• Length: 116 feet 7 inches (35.57 meters)

• Height: 33 feet 7 inches (10.27 meters)

• Wingspan: 99 feet 6 inches (30.36 meters)

• Speed: Maximum - 411 knots (466 miles per hour); Cruise - 328 knots (403 miles per hour).

• Maximum takeoff weight: 139,760 pounds (63,394.1 kilograms)

• Range: Maximum mission range 2,380 miles (2,738.9) nautical miles)

• Crew: 11

• Passengers: 12

• Introduction Date: 1962

Features (P-3C Orion):  Originally designed as a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft, the P-3C's mission has evolved in the late 1990s and early 21st century to include surveillance of the battlespace, either at sea or over land. Its long range and long loiter time have proved invaluable assets during Operation Iraqi Freedom as it can view the battlespace and instantaneously provide that information to ground troops, especially U.S. Marines.

NAMBP UP-3A Cockpit

The P-3C has advanced submarine detection sensors such as directional frequency and ranging (DIFAR) sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) equipment. The avionics system is integrated by a general purpose digital computer that supports all of the tactical displays, monitors and automatically launches ordnance and provides flight information to the pilots. In addition, the system coordinates navigation information and accepts sensor data inputs for tactical display and storage. The P-3C can carry a mixed payload of weapons internally and on wing pylons.

UP-3A on Museum Flightline

Background: In February 1959, the Navy awarded Lockheed a contract to develop a replacement for the aging P2V Neptune. The P3V Orion, derived from Lockheed's successful L188 Electra airliner, entered the inventory in July 1962, and more than 30 years later it remains the Navy's sole land-based antisubmarine warfare aircraft. It has gone through one designation change (P3V to P-3) and three major models: P-3A, P-3B, and P-3C, the latter being the only one now in active service. The last Navy P-3 came off the production line at the Lockheed plant in April 1990.

Source: US Navy Factfile

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Last Updated: 08 December 2006