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

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

Related Development

 * Lockheed CP-140 Aurora

Comparable Aircraft

 * Airbus A319 MPA
 * Boeing P-8 Poseidon
 * Bombardier CP-194M Galaxy Atlantis
 * Bombardier CP-207 Argus II
 * Breguet Atlantique
 * CASA CN-235 MPA
 * CASA C-295 MPA
 * CASA HC-144 Ocean Sentry
 * Canadair CP-107 Argus
 * Hawker Siddeley Nimrod
 * BAe Systems Nimrod MRA.4
 * Ilyushin Il-38
 * Kawasaki P-1