AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft
The Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion is an extremely versatile aircraft capable of:
- maritime surveillance
- anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare
- naval fleet support
- search and survivor supply.
The Orion is the workhorse of No 92 Wing, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, near Adelaide, who are responsible for conducting long-range surveillance missions within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The Orion first entered military service in 1962, with the current P-3C first introduced in 1968. The significantly upgraded Australian Orions, designated AP-3C, were introduced into service in 2002 and are fitted with a variety of sensors, including digital multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optics detectors (infra-red and visual), magnetic anomaly detectors, identification friend or foe systems, and acoustic detectors.
The Orion may work alone, or in conjunction with other aircraft or ships. Wartime missions include locating and attacking enemy submarines and ships using torpedoes and Harpoon anti-shipping missiles. Orions also assist in search and rescue operations by conducting search and survivor supply (air drop) missions.
Orion flight training is conducted primarily in two simulators, the Advanced Flight Simulator and the Operational Mission Simulator.
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| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
|---|---|
| Role | Long-range surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, search and survivor supply |
| Crew | Thirteen:
|
| Engine | Four Allison T56-A-14 (4600 shaft horsepower each) |
| Airframe | Length: 35.6m, height: 10.44m |
| Wingspan | 30.8m |
| Weight | 61,200Kg maximum |
| Speed | 750 km/h (405 knots) maximum, 650 km/h cruise (350 kts) at 26,000 feet, 370 km/h (200 kts) loiter |
| Endurance | 15 hours |
| Weapons/ stores |
|