Lockheed P-3 Orion

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 recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or "MAD Boom", used for the magnetic detection of submarines.

Over the years, the aircraft has seen numerous design advancements, most notably to its electronics packages. The P-3 Orion is still in use by numerous navies and air forces around the world, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. A total of 734 P-3s have been built, and during 2012, it joined the handful of military aircraft including the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker that have served 50 years of continuous use by the United States military. The U.S. Navy's remaining P-3C aircraft will eventually be replaced by the Boeing P-8A Poseidon.

Users

 * Argentine Navy
 * Brazilian Navy
 * Bundesmarine
 * Canadian Forces Maritime Command - see Lockheed CP-140 Aurora
 * Chilean Navy
 * Hellenic Air Force
 * Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
 * Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force - replaced by Kawasaki P-1
 * Pakistan Navy
 * Portuguese Air Force
 * Republic of China Navy
 * Republic of Korea Navy
 * Royal Australian Navy
 * Royal Netherlands Navy
 * Royal New Zealand Navy
 * Royal Norwegian Air Force
 * Royal Thai Navy
 * Spanish Air Force
 * United States Navy
 * Vietnam People's Navy