The P-3 Orion grew out of Lockheed’s L-188 Electra airliner, which first flew in December 1957. Shortly afterward, the Navy held a competition for a new shore-based anti-submarine warfare aircraft to replace the aging P-2 Neptune. Lockheed adapted the Electra airframe into the Orion, adding a full suite of anti-submarine warfare sensors and weapons. The Orion first flew in this configuration in November 1959, and after further testing entered U.S. Navy service in August 1962, beginning a service career that would span decades.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal, four-engine, low-wing aircraft adapted from the Lockheed L-188 commercial airliner design, with a shorter fuselage and wings, housing submarine-detection equipment, 360 degree radar coverage and a distinctive tail-mounted magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom.
Crew: 10
Length: 116 ft 10 in
Wingspan: 99 ft 8 in
Height: 33 ft 8 in
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 61,491 lbs / 142,000 lbs
Powerplant: Four Allison T56-A-14 turboprop engines, 4,600 horsepower each
Maximum speed: 473 mph
Range: 4,765 miles
Service ceiling: 28,300 ft
Weapons
Armament: Capable of carrying 2,000 lb or 3,000 lb mines, or up to eight depth bombs or torpedoes.
Ordnance: Up to 16,000 lbs total weapons load.
Key Accomplishments
Adapted from a commercial airliner design into one of the most capable and long-serving anti-submarine warfare aircraft ever built, a career spanning 60 decades across multiple navies.
The P-3 was continually modified to enhance its capabilities. The C model was a major redesign of the interior, adding a digital computer, new navigation suite, and sensor stations. It also added 48 externally loaded sonobuoy tubes.
A total of 757 P-3s were built. Early models included the P-3A and P-3B, and later the P-3C. With more than 400 aircraft worldwide flown by 21 operators in 17 countries
The last US Navy operational flight was June 2023, ending 60 years of service to the nation.
Build Date
1967
Manufacturer
Lockheed
Dates of Service
1967 – 1993
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #154574
Credit
On loan from The National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command.
Display Status
This aircraft flew for several years out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove until a flying accident broke its wing spar and grounded the aircraft. The Museum acquired it in January 2011. In March 2013, with assistance from the Air Force, the aircraft was moved from the Horsham Road side of the former base to the Museum’s restoration facility. Restoration was completed and the aircraft moved to public display in 2020, with assistance from the Red Horse Squadron of the Biddle Air National Guard Station.
Status: On display.
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