View source for Lockheed P-3 Orion

{{Short description|Maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft family}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= P-3 Orion
 |image= File:P-3c 03l (modified).jpg
 |image_caption= A Kawasaki-built P-3C Orion of the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]]
 |aircraft_type= [[Maritime patrol aircraft]]
 |national_origin= United States
 |manufacturer= [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] <br />[[Lockheed Martin]]<br /> [[Kawasaki Aerospace Company]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight= November 1959<ref name='USNavyFactFile'>[http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1400&ct=1 "P-3C Orion long range ASW aircraft."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316155749/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1400&ct=1 |date=16 March 2011 }} ''navy.mil,'', 18 February 2009. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>
 |introduction= August 1962<ref name='USNavyFactFile'/>
 |produced= 1961–1990<ref name=aeroflight2010 />
 |status= Active
 |primary_user= [[United States Navy]]
 |more_users= [[Republic of China Navy]] <br />[[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] <br />[[Republic of Korea Navy]]<!-- Only THREE "more users" TOTAL. Separate users with <br />. Please do NOT add Canada here: Its CP-140 has its own article and is in variants below. -->
 |number_built=Lockheed – 650, <br /> Kawasaki – 107, <br /> '''Total – 757'''<ref>[http://www.p3orion.nl/production.html "P-3 production."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901080909/http://www.p3orion.nl/production.html |date=1 September 2011 }} ''p3orion.nl.'' Retrieved: 7 June 2011.</ref>
 |developed_from= [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]]
 |variants = [[Lockheed AP-3C Orion]]<br />[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora]]<br />[[Lockheed EP-3]]<br />[[Lockheed WP-3D Orion]]
 |developed_into = [[Lockheed P-7]]
}}

The '''Lockheed P-3 Orion''' is a four-engined, [[turboprop]] [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] and [[maritime patrol aircraft|maritime surveillance aircraft]] developed for the [[United States Navy]] and introduced in the 1960s. It is based on the [[Lockheed L-188 Electra|L-188 Electra]] commercial airliner by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]]; it is easily distinguished from the Electra by its distinctive tail stinger or "MAD" boom, used for the [[Magnetic anomaly detector|magnetic anomaly detection]] (MAD) of [[submarines]].

Over the years, the P-3 has seen numerous design developments, most notably in its electronics packages. Numerous navies and air forces around the world continue to use the type primarily for [[maritime patrol]], [[reconnaissance]], [[anti-surface warfare]] and anti-submarine warfare.<ref name='USNavyFactFile'/> A total of 757 P-3s have been built. In 2012, it joined the handful of military aircraft including the [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]], [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]], and [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] that the United States military has been using for more than 50 years. In the twenty-first century, the turbofan-powered [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]] began to supplement, and will eventually replace, the U.S. Navy's P-3s.

==Development==

===Origins===
In August 1957, the U.S. Navy called for proposals for replacement of the [[piston-engine]]d [[Lockheed P2V Neptune]] (later redesignated P-2) and [[Martin P5M Marlin]] (later redesignated P-5) with a more advanced aircraft to conduct [[maritime patrol]] and antisubmarine warfare. Modifying an existing aircraft should save on cost and to allow rapid introduction into the fleet. Lockheed suggested a military version of its [[Lockheed L-188 Electra|L-188 Electra]], then still in development and yet to fly. In April 1958, Lockheed won the competition and was awarded an initial research-and-development contract in May.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

[[File:Lockheed YP3V-1 Orion aerodynamic prototype in flight, in 1958.jpg|thumb|The first Orion prototype was a converted [[Lockheed L-188 Electra|Lockheed Electra]].]]

Lockheed modified the prototype YP3V-1/YP-3A, Bureau Number (BuNo) 148276 from the third Electra airframe c/n 1003.{{sfn|Reade|1998}} The first flight of the aircraft's aerodynamic prototype, originally designated YP3V-1, took place on 19 August 1958. While based on the same design philosophy as the  Electra, the aircraft differed structurally; it had {{convert|7|ft|m}} less [[fuselage]] forward of the wings with an opening bomb bay, and a more pointed nose [[radome]], a distinctive tail "stinger" for detection of submarines by MAD, wing hardpoints, and other internal, external, and airframe-production technique enhancements.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

The Orion has four [[Allison T56]] [[turboprop]]s, which give it a top speed of {{convert|411|kn|lk= on}} comparable to the fastest propeller fighters, or even to slow high-bypass [[turbofan]] jets such as the [[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II]] or the [[Lockheed S-3 Viking]]. Similar [[patrol aircraft]] include the Soviet [[Ilyushin Il-38]], the French [[Breguet Atlantique]] and the British jet-powered [[Hawker Siddeley Nimrod]] (based on the [[de Havilland Comet]]).

The first production version, designated P3V-1, was launched on 15 April 1961. Initial squadron deliveries to [[VP-8|Patrol Squadron Eight]] ([[VP-8]]) and Patrol Squadron Forty-Four (VP-44) at [[Naval Air Station Patuxent River]], Maryland, began in August 1962. On 18 September 1962, the U.S. military transitioned to a unified designation system for all services, with the aircraft being renamed the P-3 Orion.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} Paint schemes have changed from early 1960s, gloss seaplane gray and white to mid-1960s/1970s/1980s/early 1990s gloss white and gray, to mid-1990s flat-finish low-visibility gray with fewer and smaller markings. In the early 2000s, the paint scheme changed to its current overall gloss gray finish with the original full-sized color markings. However, large-sized BuNos on the vertical stabilizer and squadron designations on the fuselage remained largely omitted.<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap3-3.pdf "Second VP-9."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327075802/http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap3-3.pdf |date=27 March 2007 }} ''Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons'' — Volume 2, p. 74. Retrieved: 7 July 2012.</ref>

===Further developments===
[[File:US Navy 100706-N-6855K-063 P-3C Orion aircraft from the navies of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korean and the U.S. line the Rainbow Fleet tarmac of Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.jpg|thumb|P-3s from Japan, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, and the United States at [[MCAS Kaneohe Bay]] during RIMPAC 2010]]

In 1963, the U.S. Navy's [[Bureau of Naval Weapons]]  contracted [[Univac]] Defense Systems Division of [[Sperry Rand]] to engineer, build, and test a [[digital computer]] (a device then in its infancy) to interface with the many sensors and newly developing display units of the P-3 Orion. Project A-NEW was the engineering system, which  after several early trials, produced the engineering prototype, the [[CP-823/U]], [[Univac 1830]], Serial A-1, A-NEW MOD3 Computing System. Univac delivered the CP-823/U to the [[Naval Air Development Center]] at Johnsville, Pennsylvania, in 1965; this directly led to the production computers later equipped on the P-3C.<ref>Thomas, Todd J. [http://www.p3oriontopsecret.com "First Digital Airborne Computing System: UNIVAC 1830, CP-823/U Serial A-New Mod 3, Engineering Prototype Lockheed P-3 Orion."] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110715031714/http://www.p3oriontopsecret.com/ |date= 15 July 2011 }} ''p3oriontopsecret.com,'' 2010. Retrieved: 9 December 2010.</ref>

Three civilian Electras were lost in fatal accidents between February 1959 and March 1960. Following the third crash, the FAA restricted the maximum speed of Electras pending determination of the causes. After an extensive investigation, two of the crashes (those of September 1959 and March 1960) were identified as due to insufficiently strong engine mounts, unable to damp a whirling motion that could affect the outboard engines. When the oscillation was transmitted to the wings, a severe vertical vibration escalated, tearing off the wings.<ref name=Serling>Serling, Robert J., ''Loud and Clear'', Dell, 1970.</ref><ref name="inquest">[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1961%20-%200225.html Lessons of a turboprop inquest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104081345/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1961/1961%20-%200225.html |date=4 November 2012 }} ''Flight'' 17 February 1961 p.225</ref> The company implemented a costly modification program, labelled the Lockheed Electra Achievement Program, which strengthened the engine mounts and the wing structures supporting the mounts, and replaced some wing skins with thicker material. At its own expense, Lockheed modified all surviving Electras of the 145 built at that time, the process taking 20 days for each aircraft. These changes were incorporated into subsequent aircraft as they were built.<ref name=Serling/>

The Electra's sales were limited as Lockheed's technical fix did not completely erase the aircraft's poor reputation in an era in which turboprop-powered aircraft were being replaced by faster jets.<ref>Murphy, Pat. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071012195147/http://www.mtexpress.com/story_printer.php?ID=2005116805 "Fighting fire like a regular military ground, air war: Onetime jinxed airliner now a superstar fire bomber."] ''mtexpress.com,'' 2010. Retrieved: 16 November 2010.</ref> In military roles that valued fuel efficiency more than speed, the Orion remained in service for over 50 years after its 1962 introduction. Although surpassed in production longevity by the [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]], 734 P-3s were produced through 1990.<ref name=aeroflight2010>[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/aircraft/types/lockheed-martin-p-3-orion.htm "Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111053033/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/aircraft/types/lockheed-martin-p-3-orion.htm |date=11 November 2010 }} ''Aeroflight.co.uk,'' 31 July 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/asw/p3.html "P-3 Orion Overview."] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101123034704/http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/asw/p3.html |date= 23 November 2010 }} ''Federation of American Scientists (FAS).'' Retrieved: 25 January 2011.</ref><ref name=idaret>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y5UrAAAAIBAJ&pg=5942%2C1365745 |work= Idahonian |location= (Moscow) |agency= Associated Press |last= Barbour |first= John |title= Retooling the war machine |date= 14 July 1990 |page= 6C}}</ref> Lockheed Martin opened a new P-3 wing production-line in 2008 as part of its Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP) for delivery in 2010. A complete ASLEP replaces the outer wings, center-wing lower section, and horizontal stabilizers with newly built parts.<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/Lockheed-Martin-Awarded-Contract-to-Build-Outer-Wing-Sets-for-the-US-Navys-P-3-Orion-Fleet_n000004921.aspx "Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract to Build Outer Wing Sets for the US Navy's P-3 Orion Fleet."] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110918180557/http://www.deagel.com/news/Lockheed-Martin-Awarded-Contract-to-Build-Outer-Wing-Sets-for-the-US-Navys-P-3-Orion-Fleet_n000004921.aspx |date= 18 September 2011 }} ''deagel.com,'' 4 September 2008.</ref>

In the 1990s, the U.S. Navy attempted to procure a successor aircraft to the P-3, and selected the improved [[Lockheed P-7|P-7]] over a naval-specific variant of the twin turbofan-powered [[Boeing 757]], but this program was subsequently cancelled. In a second program to select a replacement, the advanced [[Lockheed Martin]] Orion 21, another P-3-derived aircraft, lost out to the [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]], a [[Boeing 737]] variant, which entered service in 2013.

==Design==
[[File:P-3A VP-49 1964.jpg|thumb|A USN P-3A of [[VP-49]] in the original blue/white colors]]

The P-3 has an internal [[bomb bay]] under the front [[fuselage]], which can house conventional [[Mark 50 torpedo]]es or [[Mark 46 torpedo]]es and/or special ([[nuclear weapon|nuclear]]) weapons. Additional underwing stations, or pylons, can carry other armament configurations, including the [[AGM-84 Harpoon]], [[AGM-84E SLAM]], AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER, [[AGM-65 Maverick]], {{convert|127|mm|in|adj=on|order=flip|sigfig=1}} [[Zuni (rocket)|Zuni rockets]], and various other [[sea mines]], missiles, and gravity bombs. The aircraft also had the capability to carry the [[AGM-12 Bullpup]] guided missile until that weapon was withdrawn from service.<ref name='P-3C Chart '>
[http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/p-3c.pdf "P-3C."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728231535/http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/p-3c.pdf |date=28 July 2010 }} ''history.navy.mil.'' Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>

The P-3 is equipped with a MAD in the extended tail. This instrument is able to detect the magnetic anomaly of a submarine in the Earth's magnetic field. The limited range of this instrument requires the aircraft to be near the submarine at low altitude. Because of this, it is primarily used for pinpointing the location of a submarine immediately prior to a [[torpedo]] or depth bomb attack. Due to the sensitivity of the detector, electromagnetic noise can interfere with it, so the detector is placed in P-3's fiberglass tail stinger (MAD boom), far from other electronics and ferrous metals on the aircraft.<ref name='FAS P-3'>[http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/asw/air_antisubwar.html "Air Anti-Submarine Warfare ."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112111540/http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/air/asw/air_antisubwar.html |date=12 January 2010 }} ''fas.org.'' Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>

===Crew complement===
[[File:Cockpit van een Lockheed P-3C (Update II) Orion lange afstand maritiem patrouillevliegtuig (2097 044 077915).jpg|thumb|left|Flight instruments and controls in the cockpit of the P-3C Orion (Update II) in Dutch service.]]
[[File:P-3 Orion underside view 20080614.jpg|thumb|An underside view of a USN P-3C showing the [[Magnetic anomaly detector|MAD]] (rear boom) and external [[sonobuoy]] launch tubes (grid of black spots towards the rear)]]
[[File:Helice HS 54H60-77.JPG|thumb|A German Navy Rolls-Royce Allison T56-A-14 engine with Hamilton Standard 54H60-77 propeller]]
The crew complement varies depending on the role being flown, the variant being operated, and the country that is operating the type. In U.S. Navy service, the normal crew complement was 12 until it was reduced to its current complement of 11 in the early 2000s when the in-flight ordnanceman position was eliminated as a cost-savings measure and the ORD duties assumed by the in-flight technician.<ref name="USNavyFactFile"/> Data for U.S. Navy P-3C only.

Officers:
*three [[Naval Aviator]]s
**Patrol Plane Commander (PPC)
**Patrol Plane 2nd Pilot (PP2P)
**Patrol Plane 3rd Pilot (PP3P)
*two [[Naval Flight Officer]]s
**Patrol Plane Tactical Coordinator (PPTC or [[TACCO]])
**Patrol Plane Navigator/Communicator (PPNC or NAVCOM)
NOTE: NAVCOM on P-3C only; USN P-3A and P-3B series had an NFO Navigator (TACNAV) and an enlisted Airborne Radio Operator (RO)

Enlisted aircrew:
*two enlisted Aircrew Flight Engineers (FE1 and FE2)
*three enlisted Sensor Operators
**Radar/MAD/EWO (SS-3)
**two Acoustic (SS-1 and SS-2)
*one enlisted In-Flight Technician (IFT)
*one enlisted Aviation Ordnanceman (ORD position no longer used on USN crews; duties assumed by IFT)

The senior of either the PPC or TACCO will be designated as the aircraft Mission Commander (MC).

===Engine loiter shutdown===
Once on station, one engine is often shut down (usually the No. 1 engine – the left outer engine) to conserve fuel and extend the time aloft and/or range when at low level. It is the primary candidate for loiter shutdown because it has no generator. Eliminating the exhaust from engine 1 also improves visibility from the aft observer station on the left side of the aircraft.

On occasion, both outboard engines can be shut down, weight, weather, and fuel permitting. Long, deep-water, coastal, or border-patrol missions can last over 10 hours and may include extra crew. The record time aloft for a P-3 is 21.5 hours, undertaken by the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]'s [[No. 5 Squadron RNZAF|No. 5 Squadron]] in 1972.

==Operational history==

===United States===
[[File:P-3B DN-SC-82-02246.JPEG|thumb|A P-3B of [[VP-6]] near Hawaii]]
[[File:P-3C Orion2.jpg|thumb|A US P-3C Orion of [[VP-8]]]]
[[File:Two man replace a main landing gear tire of a plane.jpg|thumb|Changing a tire on a P-3C]]
[[File:20190401 P-3 Orion Tail 161593 Kadena AB-26.jpg|thumb|A P-3C on final approach at [[Kadena AB]] in 2019|alt=Side-view of a four-engine propeller aircraft in landing configuration.]]

Developed during the [[Cold War]], the P-3's primary mission was to localize [[Soviet Navy]] [[Ballistic missile submarine|ballistic missile]] and [[fast attack submarine]]s detected by [[SOSUS|undersea surveillance]] systems and eliminate them in the event of full-scale war.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Holler |first=Roger A. |date=5 November 2013 |title=The Evolution Of The Sonobuoy From World War II To The Cold War |journal= U.S. Navy Journal of Underwater Acoustics |pages=332–333 |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a597432.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324114802/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a597432.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=24 March 2020 |access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=Whitman>{{cite magazine |last=Whitman |first=Edward C. |date=Winter 2005 |title=SOSUS The "Secret Weapon" of Undersea Surveillance |magazine=Undersea Warfare |volume=7 |issue=2 |url=https://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/Issues/Archives/issue_25/sosus.htm |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=24 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324114806/https://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/underseawarfaremagazine/Issues/Archives/issue_25/sosus.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> At its height, the U.S. Navy's P-3 community consisted of twenty-four active duty "Fleet" patrol squadrons home based at air stations in the states of Florida and Hawaii as well as bases which formerly had P-3 operations in Maryland, Maine, and California.

There were also thirteen Naval Reserve patrol squadrons identical to their active duty "Fleet" counterparts, said Reserve "Fleet" squadrons being based in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts (later relocated to Maine), Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, California and Washington. Two Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS), also called "RAG" squadrons (from the historic "Replacement Air Group" nomenclature) were located in California and Florida. The since-deactivated [[VP-31]] in California provided P-3 training for the Pacific Fleet, while [[VP-30]] in Florida performed the task for the Atlantic Fleet. These squadrons were also augmented by a test and evaluation squadron in Maryland, two additional test and evaluation units that were part of an air development center in Pennsylvania and a test center in California, an oceanographic development squadron in Maryland, and two active duty "special projects" units in Maine and Hawaii, the latter being slightly smaller than a typical squadron.

In [[fiscal year]] 1995, the U.S. Navy planned to reduce active-duty patrol squadrons from sixteen to thirteen—seven on the East Coast, six on the West.<ref>Peter Felsted, "Orion Hunts a Different Prey," [[Jane's Defence Weekly]], 12 November 1994, p25.</ref> The patrol squadrons planned to survive were VP-8, 10, 11, and 26 at [[NAS Brunswick]], Maine, and [[VP-5]], 16, and 45 at [[NAS Jacksonville]], Florida. The Pacific squadrons that were to be retained were VP-1, 4, 9, and 47 at Barbers' Point, Hawaii, and 40 and [[VP-46]] at [[NAS Whidbey Island]], Washington. Thus Patrol Squadrons 17, 23, 24, and 49 were to be disestablished, and the remaining units were to operate nine aircraft instead of eight, augmented by VP-30 and the nine-at-the-time USNR P-3 squadrons.

Reconnaissance missions in international waters led to occasions where Soviet fighters would "bump" a P-3, either operated by the U.S. Navy or other operators such as the [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]]. On 1 April 2001, [[Hainan Island incident|a midair collision]] between a United States Navy EP-3E ARIES II signals surveillance aircraft and a [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] [[Shenyang J-8|J-8II]] jet fighter-interceptor resulted in an international dispute between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China (PRC).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126584&page=1 |title='Born to Fly,' by Lt. Shane Osborn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129141835/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126584&page=1 |archive-date=29 January 2011 |website=abcnews.go.com |date=6 January 2006 |access-date=28 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

More than 40 P-3 variants have demonstrated the type's rugged reliability, commonly flying 12-hour plus missions {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=on}} over water.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} Versions were developed for the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) for research and hurricane hunting/hurricane wall busting, for the [[U.S. Customs Service]] (now [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]]) for drug interdiction and aerial surveillance mission with a rotodome adapted from the [[Grumman E-2 Hawkeye]] or an [[AN/APG-66]] radar adapted from the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]], and for [[NASA]] for research and development.

The U.S. Navy remains the largest P-3 operator, currently distributed between a single fleet replacement (i.e., "training") patrol squadron in Florida (VP-30), 12 active duty patrol squadrons distributed between bases in Florida, Washington and Hawaii, two [[United States Navy Reserve|Navy Reserve]] patrol squadrons in Florida and Washington, one [[active duty]] special projects patrol squadron (VPU-2) in Hawaii, and two active duty test and evaluation squadrons.{{nu|date=April 2024}} One additional active duty fleet reconnaissance squadron (VQ-1) operates the [[EP-3 Aries]] [[signals intelligence]] (SIGINT) variant at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

In January 2011, the U.S. Navy revealed that P-3s have been used to hunt down "third generation" [[narco-submarine]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://defensetech.org/2011/01/14/p-3-subhunters-pressed-into-service-to-find-narco-subs/ |title=P-3 Subhunters Using ASW Gear to Find Narco-Subs? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119025007/http://defensetech.org/2011/01/14/p-3-subhunters-pressed-into-service-to-find-narco-subs/ |archive-date=19 January 2011 |newspaper=defensetech.org |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> This is significant because as recently as July 2009, fully submersible submarines have been used in smuggling operations.<ref>Page, Lewis. [https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/06/true_sub_captured_from_drug_smugglers/ "First true submarine captured from American drug smugglers."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105220635/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/06/true_sub_captured_from_drug_smugglers/ |date=5 November 2010 }} ''The Register,'' 6 July 2010. Retrieved: 25 January 2011.</ref> As of November 2013, the US Navy began phasing out the P-3 in favor of the newer and more advanced Boeing P-8 Poseidon.

In May 2020, [[VP-40 (1951-present)|Patrol Squadron 40]] completed the transition to the P-8, marking the retirement of the P-3C from U.S. Navy active duty service. The last of the active-duty P-3Cs, aircraft 162776, was also delivered to the [[National Museum of Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation Museum]] in [[Pensacola, Florida]]. Two Navy Reserve squadrons, [[Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30]] and One Active duty Squadron ([[VQ-1]]) continued to fly the P-3C.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/06/04/fair-winds-and-following-seas-to-the-navys-p-3c/ |title=Fair winds and following seas to the Navy's P-3C |newspaper=[[Navy Times]] |date=4 June 2020 |first=Geoff |last=Ziezulewicz}}</ref> In February of 2025 VQ-1 retired their final EP-3E Aries II and P-3C, leaving VX-30 and VXS-1 as the only squadrons operating the P-3 in U.S. Navy service.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://scramble.nl/military-news/sundown-for-fleet-air-reconnaissance-squadron-one | title=Sundown for Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One | date=18 February 2025 }}</ref>

===In Cuba===
{{Main|Cuban Missile Crisis}}

In October 1962, P-3As flew several blockade patrols in the vicinity of Cuba. Having only joined the operational Fleet earlier that year, this event marked the first employment of the P-3 in a real world "heightened threat" situation.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

===In Vietnam===
{{Main|Operation Market Time}}

Beginning in 1964, forward deployed P-3s began flying various missions under [[Operation Market Time]] from bases in the Philippines and Vietnam. The primary focus of these coastal patrols was to stem the supply of materials to the [[Viet Cong]] by sea, although several of these missions also became overland "feet dry" sorties. During one such mission, a small caliber artillery shell passed through a P-3 without rendering it mission incapable. The only confirmed combat loss of a P-3 also occurred during Operation Market Time.<ref name="vpnavy.org">[http://www.vpnavy.org/vp26mem.html "VP-26 Memorial: VP-26 Crew – {{sic|In Memo|rium|hide=y|expected=In Memoriam}} – VP-26 Crew."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510030438/http://www.vpnavy.org/vp26mem.html |date=10 May 2007 }} ''vpnavy.org.'' Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>

In April 1968, a U.S. Navy P-3B of [[VP-26]] was downed by anti-aircraft fire in the Gulf of Thailand with the loss of the entire crew. Two months earlier in February 1968, another one of VP-26's P-3Bs was operating in the same vicinity when it crashed with the loss of the entire crew. Originally attributed to a low altitude mishap, later conjecture is that this aircraft may have also fallen victim to anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire from the same source as the April incident.<ref name="vpnavy.org"/>

===In Iraq===
{{Main|Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|Desert Storm|Operation Iraqi Freedom}}

On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and was poised to strike Saudi Arabia. Within 48 hours of the initial invasion, U.S. Navy P-3Cs were among the first American forces to arrive in the area. One was a modified platform with a prototype over-the-horizon targeting (OTH-T) system package known as "Outlaw Hunter"; it had been undergoing trials in the Pacific after being developed by Tiburon Systems, Inc. for NAVAIR's PMA-290 Program Office.{{sfn|Reade|1998|pp=42–49}} Within hours of the coalition air campaign's start, "Outlaw Hunter" detected a large number of Iraqi patrol boats and naval vessels attempting to move from [[Basra]] and [[Umm Qasr]] to [[Iran]]ian waters. "Outlaw Hunter" vectored in strike elements which attacked the [[flotilla]] near [[Bubiyan Island]], destroying 11 vessels and damaging scores more. During Desert Shield, a P-3 using [[infrared imaging]] detected a ship with Iraqi markings beneath freshly-painted bogus Egyptian markings trying to avoid detection.{{sfn|Reade|1998|pp=42–49}}

Several days before the 7 January 1991 commencement of Operation [[Desert Storm]], a P-3C equipped with an APS-137 [[Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar]] (ISAR) conducted coastal surveillance along Iraq and Kuwait to provide pre-strike reconnaissance on enemy military installations. A total of 55 of the 108 Iraqi vessels destroyed during the conflict were targeted by P-3Cs.{{sfn|Reade|1998|pp=42–49}}

The P-3's mission expanded in the late 1990s and early 2000s to include [[battlespace]] surveillance both at sea and over land. The long range and long loiter time of the P-3 proved to be an invaluable asset during [[Gulf War|Operation Iraqi Freedom]] and [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], being able to instantaneously provide the gathered battlespace information to ground troops, particularly the U.S. Marines.<ref name='USNavyFactFile'/>

===In Afghanistan===
{{Main|War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)}}

Although the P-3 is a MPA, armament and sensor upgrades in the Anti-surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP)<ref name="lockheedmartin.com">Chudy, Jason.
[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/P3CAntiSurfaceWarfareImprovementPro/index.html "P-3C Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (P-3C AIP)."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029105236/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/P3CAntiSurfaceWarfareImprovementPro/index.html |date=29 October 2009 }} ''lockheedmartin.com.'' Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref> have made it suitable for sustained combat air support over land.<ref name="lockheedmartin.com"/> In what became known as the "Decade in the Desert", Navy P-3Cs patrolled combat zones in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.<ref name="rogoway20140702">{{Cite web |url=https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/confessions-of-a-pilot-behind-the-us-navys-airborne-sub-1598415741 |title=Confessions Of A US Navy P-3 Orion Maritime Patrol Pilot |last=Rogoway |first=Tyler |date=2 July 2014 |website=Foxtrot Alpha |language=en-US |access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref> From the start of the war in Afghanistan, U.S. Navy P-3s operated from Kandahar in that role.<ref>Chudy, Jason.[http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SS_070505_Navy,00.html "P-3C Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (P-3C AIP)."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611102645/http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SS_070505_Navy,00.html |date=11 June 2009 }} ''military.com.'' Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref> Royal Australian Air Force AP-3Cs operated out of Minhad Air Base in the UAE from 2003 until their withdrawal in November 2012. Between 2008 and 2012, AP-3Cs conducted overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks in support of coalition troops across Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/11/29/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-science-and-personnel-joint-media-release-last-ap-3c-orion-aircraft-welcomed-home-from-middle-east/|title=Defence Ministers » Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Science and Personnel – Joint Media Release – Last AP-3C Orion Aircraft welcomed home from Middle East|work=defence.gov.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429031651/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/11/29/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-science-and-personnel-joint-media-release-last-ap-3c-orion-aircraft-welcomed-home-from-middle-east/|archive-date=29 April 2013}}</ref>

The [[United States Geological Survey]] used the Orion to survey parts of southern and eastern Afghanistan for lithium, copper, and other mineral deposits.<ref name="nytimes.com">Risen, James. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/asia/14minerals.html?pagewanted=2&hp "U.S. Identifies Vast Mineral Riches in Afghanistan."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215054401/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/asia/14minerals.html?pagewanted=2&hp |date=15 December 2014 }} ''The New York Times,'' 13 June 2010. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>

===In Libya===
{{Main|2011 Libyan civil war}}

Several U.S. Navy P-3Cs, and two Canadian [[CP-140 Aurora]]s, a variant of the Orion, participated in maritime surveillance missions over Libyan waters in the framework of enforcement of the 2011 no-fly zone over Libya.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8515781/British-ships-protected-by-borrowed-US-spy-plane-in-Libya.html "British ships protected by borrowed US spy plane in Libya."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011083637/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8515781/British-ships-protected-by-borrowed-US-spy-plane-in-Libya.html |date=11 October 2016 }} ''The Telegraph.'' Retrieved: 7 January 2012.</ref><ref>Strelieff, Captain Jill. [http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/fs-ev/2011/10/04-eng.asp "Auroras fly first missions over Libya."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212073753/http://www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/fs-ev/2011/10/04-eng.asp |date=12 December 2011 }} ''Sicily Air Wing Public Affairs,'' 4 October 2011. Retrieved: 7 January 2012.</ref>

A U.S. Navy P-3C supporting [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]] engaged the Libyan coast guard vessel ''Vittoria'' on 28 March 2011 after the vessel and eight smaller craft fired on merchant ships in the port of [[Misrata]], Libya. The Orion fired [[AGM-65 Maverick]] missiles on ''Vittoria'', which was subsequently beached.<ref>[http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=6347 "US Navy P-3C, USAF A-10 and USS Barry Engage Libyan Vessels."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720133307/http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=6347 |date=20 July 2011 }} ''africom.mil,'' 29 March 2011. Retrieved: 29 March 2011</ref>

===Iran===
[[File:F-14A VF-213 intercepting Iranian  P-3F 1981.jpg|thumbnail|left|A U.S. Navy [[F-14A Tomcat]] belonging to [[VF-213]] intercepts an [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|IRIAF]] P-3F Orion over the Indian Ocean – 1981]]
Lockheed produced the P-3F variant of the P-3 Orion for [[Pahlavi Iran]]. Six examples were delivered to the former [[Imperial Iranian Air Force]] (IIAF) in 1975 and 1976.

Following the [[Iranian Revolution]] in 1979, the Orions continued in service, after the IIAF was renamed the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] (IRIAF). They were used in the Tanker War phase of the [[Iran–Iraq War]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} A total of four P-3Fs remain in service.

===Pakistan===
[[File:Pakistan Navy Orion Asuspine.jpg|thumb|A Pakistan Navy P-3C Orion in [[Quetta]], in October 2010]]

Three P-3C Orions, delivered to the [[Pakistan Navy]] in 1996 and 1997 were operated extensively during the [[Kargil War|Kargil conflict]]. After the crash of one with the loss of an entire crew, the type was grounded; nonetheless, the aircraft were maintained in an armed state and airworthy condition throughout the escalation period of 2001 and 2002. During 2007, they were used by the navy to conduct signals intelligence, airborne and bombing operations in a [[Operation Black Thunderstorm|Swat offensive]] and [[Operation Rah-e-Nijat]]. Precision and strategic bombing missions were carried out by the P-3Cs; intelligence management operations were also conducted against Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives.<ref>Mackey, Robert. [http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/ "Before Attack, Pakistan's Navy Boasted of Role in Fight Against Taliban."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617162912/http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/ |date=17 June 2012 }} ''The New York Times,'' 23 May 2011. Retrieved: 10 April 2012.</ref>

On 22 May 2011, two out of the four Pakistani P-3Cs were destroyed in an [[PNS Mehran attack|attack on PNS Mehran]], a Pakistani Naval station in Karachi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakalertpress.com/2011/05/26/foreign-hand-behind-pns-mehran-base-attack-in-pakistan/|title=Foreign Hand Behind PNS Mehran Base Attack in Pakistan.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529111233/http://www.pakalertpress.com/2011/05/26/foreign-hand-behind-pns-mehran-base-attack-in-pakistan/|archive-date=29 May 2011|work=Pakalert Press|date=26 May 2011}}</ref> In June 2011, the U.S. agreed to replace the destroyed aircraft with two new ones.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/2011/06/17/us-to-replace-two-p3c-orion-aircraft.html "US to replace two P3C Orion aircraft."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902025903/http://www.dawn.com/2011/06/17/us-to-replace-two-p3c-orion-aircraft.html |date=2 September 2011 }} ''Dawn.com,'' 17 June 2011.</ref> In February 2012, the U.S. delivered two additional P-3Cs to the Pakistan Navy.<ref>[https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/620407-pakistan-navy-receives-two-p3cs "Pakistan Navy receives two P3Cs."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219171113/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/620407-pakistan-navy-receives-two-p3cs |date=19 February 2017 }} ''News International,'' 22 February 2012. Retrieved: 9 April 2012.</ref>

On 18 November 2016, during [[2016–2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|tensions]] with India, the Pakistan Navy dispatched various ASW units, including P-3Cs, in response to reports of an [[Indian Navy]] submarine that was allegedly loitering in close proximity to the Southern territorial waters of Pakistan in the [[Arabian Sea]]. This submarine was swiftly intercepted by the Navy Orions and forced away from the territorial boundaries.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=3571 | title=Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan | access-date=1 August 2022 | archive-date=26 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726045657/https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=3571 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===In Somalia===
[[File:Maersk Alabama, seen by P-3C Orion.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion monitoring the [[Maersk Alabama hijacking|hijacking of MV ''Maersk Alabama'']], 2009]]
{{Main|Piracy in Somalia}}

The [[Spanish Air Force]] deployed P-3s to assist the international effort against [[piracy in Somalia]]. On 29 October 2008, a Spanish P-3 patrolling Somalia's coast reacted to a distress call from an [[oil tanker]] in the [[Gulf of Aden]]; it overflew the pirate vessels three times, dropping a [[smoke bomb]] on each pass, as they attempted to board the tanker. After the third pass, the pirates broke off their attack.<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2417932,00.html "Spain foils pirates' plans."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101073837/http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0%2C%2C2-11-1447_2417932%2C00.html |date=1 November 2008 }} ''news24.com.'' Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref> On 29 March 2009, the same P-3 pursued the assailants of the German navy tanker {{ship||Spessart|A1442}}, resulting in the pirate's capture.<ref>[http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=31776 "Boxer Supports International Counter-Piracy Effort in Gulf of Aden – Other Attacks Increase Off Somali Coast."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616055602/http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news%2Fnews_show.php&id=31776 |date=16 June 2009 }} ''dvidshub.net,'' 28 October 2008. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>

In April 2011, the [[Portuguese Air Force]] also contributed to [[Operation Ocean Shield]] by sending a P-3C<ref>[http://www.emfa.pt/www/detalhe.php?cod=035.603 "P-3 na Operação 'Ocean Shield'."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605021502/http://www.emfa.pt/www/detalhe.php?cod=035.603 |date=5 June 2012 }} ''[[Força Aérea Portuguesa]],'' 5 April 2011. Retrieved: 28 June 2011.</ref> which had early success when on its fifth mission detected a pirate whaler with two attack skiffs.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110927171556/http://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202011/Press%20releases%20Jan-June%202011/SNMG2/03%20May%202011%20GB%20PAO%2029%204%2011%20ESSN%20disruption.pdf "News Release: NATO'S latest counter piracy weapon strikes early blow."] ''Allied Maritime Command Headquarters Northwood,'' 29 April 2011. Retrieved: 28 June 2011.</ref> Since 2009, the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] has deployed P-3s to Djibouti for anti-piracy patrols,<ref>[https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/japan-joining-anti-piracy-effort-somali-coast Japan: Joining the Anti-Piracy Effort off the Somali Coast May 28, 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518023705/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/japan-joining-anti-piracy-effort-somali-coast |date=18 May 2020 }} Retrieved 21 November 2016</ref><ref>[https://theaviationist.com/2013/01/22/patrol-planes-pirates/ Here's how Coalition Patrol Planes Hunt Somali Pirates in the Horn of Africa January 23, 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202081513/https://theaviationist.com/2013/01/22/patrol-planes-pirates/ |date=2 February 2017 }} ''The Aviationist'' Retrieved 21 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/piracy/ja_somalia_1210.html Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia February 15, 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209152854/http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/piracy/ja_somalia_1210.html |date=9 December 2016 }} ''[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]'' Retrieved 21 November 2016</ref> from 2011 from its own base.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-military-djibouti-idUSKCN12D0C4 Japan to expand Djibouti military base to counter Chinese influence October 13, 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519130226/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-military-djibouti-idUSKCN12D0C4 |date=19 May 2017 }} ''Reuters'' Retrieved 21 November 2016</ref> The German Navy has also periodically contributed a P-3 to address the piracy problem.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Civilian uses===
[[File:Fox-firebase-aero union-N920AU-070904-02-24.jpg|thumb|Aero Union P-3A Orion taking off from [[General William J. Fox Airfield|Fox Field]], [[Lancaster, California|Lancaster]], California, to fight the North Fire]]

Several P-3s have been N-registered and are operated by civilian agencies. The [[US Customs and Border Protection]] has several P-3A and P-3B aircraft that are used for aircraft intercept and maritime patrol. [[NOAA]] operates two [[Lockheed WP-3D Orion|WP-3D]] variants specially modified for [[hurricane]] research. One P-3, N426NA, is used by [[NASA|National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA) as an Earth science research platform, primarily for the [[NASA]] [[Science Mission Directorate]]'s Airborne Science Program; it is based at [[Goddard Space Flight Center]]'s [[Wallops Flight Facility]], [[Virginia]].

Aero Union, Inc. operated eight secondhand P-3As configured as air tankers, which were leased to the [[U.S. Forest Service]], the [[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] and other agencies for [[firefighting]] use. Several of these aircraft were involved in the [[U.S. Forest Service airtanker scandal]] but have not been involved in any catastrophic aircraft mishaps. Aero Union has since gone bankrupt, and their P-3s have been put up for auction.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/01/01/aero-union-to-auction-their-p-3-air-tankers/|title=Aero Union to auction their P-3 air tankers|work=wildfiretoday.com|date=2 January 2012 |access-date=8 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914055732/http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/01/01/aero-union-to-auction-their-p-3-air-tankers/|archive-date=14 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Variants==
{{Main|P-3 Orion variants}}
[[File:JMSDF UP-3C Orion.jpg|thumb|A [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] Lockheed UP-3C Orion #9151]]
Over the years, numerous variants of the P-3 have been created. A few notable examples are:

*'''[[Lockheed WP-3D Orion|WP-3D]]''': Two P-3C aircraft as modified on the production line for [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] [[weather research]], including [[Hurricane Hunters|hurricane hunting]].
*'''[[Lockheed EP-3|EP-3E Aries]]''': 10 P-3A and 2 EP-3B aircraft converted into [[ELINT]] aircraft.
*'''[[Lockheed EP-3|EP-3E Aries II]]''': 12 P-3C aircraft converted into ELINT aircraft.
*'''[[Lockheed AP-3C Orion|AP-3C]]''': [[Royal Australian Air Force]] P-3C/W aircraft which have been extensively upgraded by [[L-3 Communications]] with new mission systems, including an Elta SAR/ISAR [[radar]] and a [[General Dynamics]] Canada acoustic processor system.
*'''[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora|CP-140M Aurora]]''': [[wikt:long-range|Long-range]] [[maritime reconnaissance]], [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW) aircraft for the [[Canadian Forces]]. Based on the P-3C Orion airframe, but mounts the more advanced electronics suite of the [[Lockheed S-3 Viking]]; 18 built
*'''[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora|CP-140A Arcturus]]''': Three P-3s without ASW equipment for CP-140 Aurora crew [[training]] and various [[Maritime patrol|coastal patrol]] missions.
*'''[[Lockheed P-7|P-7]]''' proposed new-build and improved variant as a P-3 Orion replacement later canceled.
*'''Orion 21''' proposed new-build and improved variant as a P-3 Orion replacement; lost to the [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]].
*'''P-3K2''': [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] Six P-3K2 aircraft which have been fully upgraded with totally new mission systems by [[L-3 Mission Integration Division]], [[Greenville, Texas]]. The flight deck now has 'glass' instrumentation and navigation computer automation. The Tactical Rail (Tacrail) has been completely refitted with modern sensors, communication and data management systems.

==Operators==
[[File:Military Operators P-3.svg|thumb|400px|A map with P-3 operators in red, former operators in pink.]]
[[File:P3B6P55COAN.jpg|thumb|An [[Argentine Navy]] P-3B]]
[[File:P-3W RAAF 11 Sqn 1990.jpeg|thumb|P-3C, 11 Sqn RAAF, in 1990]]
[[File:Lockheed CP-140 Canada 140102 ETNG.jpg|thumb|A Canadian [[CP-140 Aurora]] in June 2007]]
[[File:LockheedOrionGermanNavy-1313.JPG|thumb|A P-3C of the [[German Navy]]]]
[[File:Lockheed P-3C Orion, Portugal - Air Force JP7495968.jpg|thumb|A Portuguese Air Force P-3C Orion Cup+ (s/n 14810)]]
[[File:Japan P-3C JMSDF-Maritime patrol aircraft.jpg|thumb|A [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] P-3C]]
[[File:NOAA WP-3D Orions.jpg|thumb|NOAA [[WP-3D Orion|WP-3D]] ''Hurricane Hunters'']]
[[File:CBP P-3 Orion.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Department of Homeland Security P-3AEW&C used to track drug couriers]]

===Military operators===
;{{ARG}}
*[[Argentine Naval Aviation]] – six P-3B.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Based at [[Almirante Marcos A. Zar Airport|Base Aeronaval Alte. Zar]], [[Trelew]]; formerly assigned to Exploration Naval Squadron (Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Exploración) under Naval Aviation Force 3 (Fuerza Aeronaval 3) from 1997 to 2019 and now{{when|date=February 2024}} non-operational though being refurbished as of 2021.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In August 2023 Argentina bought four surplus P-3s from [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Higuera |first1=Jose |title=Argentina buys P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Norway |date=8 September 2023 |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/09/08/argentina-buys-p-3-orion-maritime-patrol-aircraft-from-norway/ |publisher=DefenceNews |access-date=10 September 2023}}</ref> The first aircraft was delivered in September 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zona-militar.com/2023/12/28/vehiculos-y-aeronaves-incorporadas-por-las-fuerzas-armadas-argentinas-en-el-2023/ | title=Estos fueron los vehículos y aeronaves incorporadas por las Fuerzas Armadas Argentinas durante el año 2023 |website=Zona Militar |last=Roldán |first=Juan José | date= 28 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Manuel |first=Rojoef |date=2024-09-06 |title=Argentina Accepts First Orion Patrol Aircraft From Norway |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2024/09/06/argentina-first-orion-aircraft-norway/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Argentina har mottatt første P-3 Orion fra Norge |url=https://www.fma.no/aktuelt-og-media/2024/argentina-har-mottatt-forste-p-3-orion-fra-norge |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Norsk |language=no}}</ref>
;{{BRA}}
*[[Brazilian Air Force]] – 9 P-3AM (Upgraded) in 2008 (12 ex-USN airframes purchased).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/world-air-forces-listing-a-b-58978/|title=World Air Forces listing A-B |date=24 November 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121173551/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/world-air-forces-listing-a-b-58978/ |archive-date=21 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Integrated with the [[CASA FITS]] (Fully Integrated Tactical System) utilized in [[antisubmarine warfare]].<!--dead link<ref>{{cite web |title=EADS |url=http://www.brazil.eads.net/1024/pt/press/press/20090429_airbus_military_p-3.html |website=brazil.eads.net |language=pt}}</ref>-->
;{{CHI}}
*[[Chilean Navy]] – four P-3A; based at Base Aeronaval Torquemada, [[Concón]]. Three used as patrol aircraft, one used for personnel transport. Chile plans to extend their service lives past 2030 by changing the wings, modernizing the engines, and integrating the [[AGM-84 Harpoon]] anti-ship missile.<ref name=dmilt>{{cite web |url=http://dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7254:chile-p-3-orions-life-extension-plans&catid=35:latin-america&Itemid=58 |title=Chile; P-3 Orions life extension plans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002192228/http://dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7254%3Achile-p-3-orions-life-extension-plans&catid=35%3Alatin-america&Itemid=58 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |website=Dmilt.com |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>
;{{CAN}}
*[[Royal Canadian Air Force]] – Canada purchased 18 P-3A in 1980. The [[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora|CP-140 Aurora]] are operated by [[404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron|404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron]], [[405 Maritime Patrol Squadron|405 Long Range Patrol Squadron]], [[415 Long Range Patrol Force Development Squadron]], (all three from [[14 Wing Greenwood]]), [[407 Long Range Patrol Squadron]] ([[19 Wing Comox]]).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Green|first1=William|title=Aircraft|url=https://archive.org/details/observersaircraf0000gree|url-access=registration|date=1988|publisher=Frederick Warne|isbn=0-7232-3534-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/observersaircraf0000gree/page/142 142–143]|edition=37}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CP-140 Aurora|url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/cp-140.page|website=Royal Canadian Air Force|date=10 April 2013|access-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001911/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/cp-140.page|archive-date=15 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Upgraded aircraft now referred to as CP-140M
*The RCAF also operated 3 CP-140A Arcturus, P-3 aircraft purchased in 1991 without an anti-submarine warfare suite and used primarily for pilot training and long-range surface patrol. The last two were retired in 2011 and transferred to [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|AMARG]]. 
*14 CP-140M aircraft in use as of 2025 <ref name="Military Balance 2025">{{cite book |title=The Military Balance |date=2025 |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |isbn=978-1-041-04967-8}}</ref>{{rp|32}}
;{{GER}}
*[[German Navy]] – four P-3C CUP (ex-[[Royal Netherlands Navy]], originally bought eight machines);<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joker zieht nicht mehr: Kein Seefernaufklärer der Marine einsatzbereit – Augen geradeaus! |url=https://augengeradeaus.net/2021/01/joker-zieht-nicht-mehr-kein-seefernaufklaerer-der-marine-einsatzbereit/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=augengeradeaus.net}}</ref> based at [[Nordholz Naval Airbase|NAS Nordholz]], Marinefliegergeschwader 3 ''Graf Zeppelin''
;{{GRE}}
*[[Hellenic Air Force]] – six P-3B operated jointly with the [[Hellenic Navy]], 1 in operable condition as of 2019, 3 additional are undergoing maintenance as of 2016 which should return them to airworthy condition, the first of which was completed in May 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Igor |first1=Bozinovski |title=Greek P-3B re-enters service |url=https://www.janes.com/article/88678/greek-p-3b-re-enters-service |website=Jane's 360 |access-date=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521203811/https://www.janes.com/article/88678/greek-p-3b-re-enters-service |archive-date=21 May 2019 |location=Skopje |date=21 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
;{{IRN}}
*[[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] – five P-3F (71ASW SQN); based at [[Shiraz International Airport]] (Shahid Douran Air Base)
;{{JPN}}
*[[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] – 93 P-3C, five EP-3, five OP-3C, one UP-3C, three UP-3D.<ref>[http://www.p3orion.nl/production.htmlAfter]{{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The [[Kawasaki Aerospace Company]] assembled five airframes produced by Lockheed, and then Kawasaki produced more than 100 P-3s under license in Japan.<ref name="Polmar">{{cite book |last1=Polmar |first1=Norman |title=The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet |date=2005 |publisher=Naval Institute |location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA |isbn=1-59114-685-2 |page=416 |edition=18th}}</ref> The [[Kawasaki P-1]] is gradually replacing them. As of March 2022, the JMSDF operated 40 P-3Cs.<ref name="doj2022">[https://web.archive.org/web/20221206231056/https://www.mod.go.jp/j/publication/wp/wp2022/pdf/R04shiryo.pdf Defence of Japan 2022 (Annual White Paper). p.53.] Japan Ministry of Defence</ref>
** [[Air Patrol Squadron 3 (JMSDF)]] (1984–2017)<ref>[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/atsugi/topics/index.html#equip 厚木航空基地HP トピックス：P－1への移行完了] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930113627/http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/atsugi/topics/index.html#equip |date=30 September 2017 }} Retrieved 28 September 2017 {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
;{{PAK}}
*[[Pakistan Naval Air Arm]] – ~Four P-3C; based in [[PAF Base Faisal|Naval aviation base Faisal, Karachi]]. Upgraded P-3C MPA and P-3B AEW models (equipped with Hawkeye 2000 AEW system) ordered in 2006,<ref>Ansari, Usman. [http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3926067 "Pakistan Navy To Boost Air Surveillance Capability."]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''defencenews.com,'' 30 January 2010. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref> first upgraded P-3C delivered in early 2007. In June 2010, two more upgraded P-3Cs joined the Pakistan Navy with anti-ship and submarine warfare capabilities. A total of nine.<ref>Ansari, Usman. [http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=81365#compstory "Pakistan navy planes to get more teeth."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005064711/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=81365#compstory |date=5 October 2012 }} ''expressindia.com,'' 14 February 2007. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref> Two aircraft were destroyed in an attack by armed militants at the Mehran Naval Airbase.
;{{POR}}
*[[Portuguese Air Force]]
**3 ''P-3C Update II-5'' and 2 ''P-3C CUP CG'' purchased to the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] in 2006, modernised standard from 2008 to 2010 to the P-3C CUP+ with new sensors and a Missile and Laser Warning System. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Portugal to buy German Orion MPAs |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/portugal-to-buy-german-orion-mpas |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322040647/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/portugal-to-buy-german-orion-mpas |archive-date=22 March 2024 }}</ref> They replaced six former RAAF P-3Bs upgraded to P-3Ps in the late 1980s. The last P-3P flew on 13 October 2011.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hoyle2008-01-04T15:30:00+00:00 |first=Craig |title=Lockheed Martin to upgrade Portuguese P-3C Orion fleet |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/lockheed-martin-to-upgrade-portuguese-p-3c-orion-fleet/78117.article |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=WEBTEAM |first=FAP- |title=Força Aérea Portuguesa |url=https://www.emfa.pt/aircraft-15-lockheed-p3c-cup-orion |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=www.emfa.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref>  In 2022 Portuguese Air Force, [[General Dynamics]] and [[Canadian Commercial Corporation]] signed a contract to modernize the Portuguese P-3C's fleet with new communications, mission electronics and an Mission Management System.  It is operated by [[601 Squadron (Portugal)|601 Squadron "''Lobos''"]], based in [[Beja Air Base]]. 
**6 ''P-3C CUP'' as well as spares, Mid-Life Upgrade sets, support equipment and flight simulators from [[German Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herk |first=Hans van |date=2023-09-05 |title=Portugal buys German P-3C Orions |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/portugal-buys-german-p-3c-orions |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=www.scramble.nl |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Portugal to buy German Orion MPAs |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/portugal-to-buy-german-orion-mpas |access-date=2024-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322040647/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/portugal-to-buy-german-orion-mpas |archive-date=22 March 2024 }}</ref>
;{{KOR}}
*[[Republic of Korea Navy]] – eight P-3Cs, eight P-3CKs; based in [[Pohang Airport]] (Patrol Squadron 615<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/republic-of-korea-navy-p-3-orion-squadron-marks-40-years-of-mishap-free-flights/ | title=Republic of Korea Navy P-3 Orion Squadron marks 40 Years of Mishap-Free Flights | date=22 February 2022 }}</ref>) and [[Jeju international airport]]. [[Korean Air]]/[[L-3 Communications]] upgraded the P-3Cs with new electronics, including [[magnetic anomaly detector]]s, electro-optical sensors, surveillance equipment and a self-protection suite. The Navy's impetus stems from a 2010 experience in which ROK forces detected only 28% of North Korean submarines involved in exercises.<ref>Perrett, Bradley. Sub-hunting, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 8 July 2013, p. 27.</ref>
;{{TWN}}
*[[Republic of China Air Force]] (1966–1967) – Three P-3As (149669, 149673, 149678) obtained by the [[CIA]] from the U.S. Navy under Project STSPIN in May 1963, as replacement aircraft for CIA's own covert operation fleet of RB-69A/P2V-7U versions. Converted by Aerosystems Division of LTV to be used as both ELINT and COMINT platform, the three P-3As were known as "black" P-3As under Project Axial. Officially transferred to the CIA on June/July 1964, the first of three "black" P-3As arrived in Taiwan and officially transferred to ROCAF's secret [[Black Bat Squadron]] on 22 June 1966. Armed with four Sidewinder short range AAM missiles for self-defense, the three "black" P-3A flew peripheral missions along China's coast to collect SIGINT and air samples. When the project was terminated in January 1967, all three "black" P-3As were flown to NAS Alameda, CA, for long-term storage. In September 1967, Lockheed at Burbank, converted two of the three aircraft (149669 and 149678) into the only two EP-3B examples in existence, while the third aircraft (149673) was converted by Lockheed in 1969–1970 to serve as a development aircraft for various electronic programs. The two EP-3Bs known as "Bat Rack", owing to their service with Taiwan's "Black Bat" Squadron, were issued to U.S. Navy's VQ-1 Squadron in 1969 and deployed to Da Nang, Vietnam. Later, the two EP-3Bs were converted to EP-3E ARIES, along with seven EP-3As. The two EP-3Es retired in the 1980s, when replaced by 12 EP-3E ARIES II versions.<ref name="Pocock">Pocock, Chris. ''The Black Bats: CIA Spy Flights Over China From Taiwan, 1951–1969''. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-7643-3513-6}}.</ref>
*[[Republic of China Navy]] – The Republic of China Navy obtained 12 P-3Cs under the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program in 2007 which were then modernized for an additional 15,000 flight hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are/global/taiwan.html |title=Taiwan |website=Lockheed Martin |access-date=13 November 2017 |quote=P-3- The Taiwan Navy obtained 12 P-3C aircraft under the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program in 2007 which were then modernized to provide an additional 15,000 flight hours. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040603/https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are/global/taiwan.html |archive-date=14 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> 12 P-3Cs (ordered, with deliveries starting in 2012), with three spare airframes that may be converting to EP-3E standard; based in the south part of the island and offshore.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031302806.html "U.S. in deal to refurbish aircraft for Taiwan."] ''Washington Post,'' 13 March 2009. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.{{dead link|date=November 2017}}</ref> In May 2014 Lockheed Martin were awarded a contract to upgrade and overhaul all 12 P-3Cs by August 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/Contract.aspx?ContractID=5281|title=Contract View|work=defense.gov|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105840/http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/Contract.aspx?ContractID=5281|archive-date=31 May 2014}}</ref>
'''{{USA}}'''

* [[United States Navy]] – Three P-3C and one NP-3D remain in service with [[VX-30]], with another two NP-3C active with [[VXS-1]]. The P-3s were replaced in active duty and reserve squadrons by the [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]].

===Former military operators===
;{{AUS}}
*[[Royal Australian Air Force]] – 18 AP-3C, 1 P-3C (1968–2023)
**[[No. 92 Wing RAAF|No. 92 Wing]]
***[[No. 10 Squadron RAAF|10 Sqn]], [[No. 11 Squadron RAAF|11 Sqn]] and [[No. 292 Squadron RAAF|No. 292 Sqn]]; based at [[RAAF Base Edinburgh]].<ref name=RAAF>{{cite web |url=http://www.raaf.gov.au/aircraft/orion.aspx |title=AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219002508/http://raaf.gov.au/aircraft/orion.aspx |archive-date=19 December 2008 |website=raaf.gov |date=29 March 2009}}</ref>

'''{{flag|Pahlavi Iran}}'''

* [[Imperial Iranian Air Force]] - 6 P-3F operated from 1975 to 1979.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=P-3 Orion Research Group |url=https://www.p3orion.nl/operators.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.p3orion.nl}}</ref>

'''{{Flag|Netherlands}}'''

* [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] ([[Netherlands Naval Aviation Service]]) - 13 P-3 Orion CUP operated from 1982 to 2006. Sold to Portugal and Germany.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 January 2005 |title=Koninklijke Marine heft officiëel twee laatste Orion-squadrons op |url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/4/militair/koninklijke-marine-heft-officieel-twee-laatste-orion-squadrons-op |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927211257/https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/4/militair/koninklijke-marine-heft-officieel-twee-laatste-orion-squadrons-op |archive-date=27 September 2022 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Luchtvaartnieuws |language=Dutch |location=Valkenburg}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

'''{{NZ}}'''

* [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] - 6 P-3B upgraded to P-3K2 operated by [[No. 5 Squadron RNZAF|No. 5 Squadron]] from 1966 - 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lockheed P-3K2 Orion Patrol Aircraft New Zealand Air Force Navy |url=https://www.seaforces.org/marint/New-Zealand-Navy/P-3K2-Orion.htm |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.seaforces.org}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Five delivered in 1966, with another purchased from the [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] in 1985. All six were upgraded by [[L-3 Communications|L-3 Communications Canada]] and designated the P-3K2, with the first aircraft returned to New Zealand in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NZDF - Arrival of the RNZAF P3K2 Orion |url=http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2011/20110427-aotrpo.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112194942/http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/2011/20110427-aotrpo.htm |archive-date=12 January 2019 |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref> In 2018, the [[New Zealand Government]] announced that the aircraft would be replaced by 4 new [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|Boeing P-8A Poseidon]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news |title=New Zealand to buy four P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft |language=en |work=The Beehive |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-buy-four-p-8a-poseidon-maritime-patrol-aircraft |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710011240/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-buy-four-p-8a-poseidon-maritime-patrol-aircraft |archive-date=10 July 2018}}</ref> By July 2023, these had been delivered, and the P-3's were withdrawn from service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-01 |title=Defence Force's new $2b aircraft take to the sky |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493004/defence-force-s-new-2b-aircraft-take-to-the-sky |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>

'''{{NOR}}'''

* [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] - 7 P-3B with two upgraded to P-3N, 4 P-3C operated by [[No. 333 Squadron RNoAF|333 Squadron]] from 1969 to 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kl. 13:33 tok P-8 Poseidon over stafettpinnen |website=forsvaret.no |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-presse/aktuelt/p-8-poseidon-tar-over-stafettpinnen |access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lockheed P-3C/N Orion Maritime Patrol Norwegian Air Force |url=https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Norwegian-Navy/AVIATION/P-3N-Orion.htm |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=www.seaforces.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saballa |first=Joe |date=2023-05-31 |title=Norway to Retire P-3 Orion Fleet After 54 Years |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/05/31/norway-retire-orion-fleet/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Formerly based at [[Andøya Air Station]].
'''{{POR}}'''
*[[Spanish Air and Space Force|Portuguese Air Force]] - 6 former RAAF P-3Bs upgraded to P-3Ps in the late 1980s and retired in October 2011.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> They were replaced by Dutch P-3 Orion. 
'''{{ESP}}'''
*[[Spanish Air and Space Force]] – Two P-3A HWs, four P-3B ( ex-Norway) upgraded to P-3M, based at [[Morón Air Base]]. Operated from 1971 to 16 December 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=El Ejército del Aire despide a su último P-3 Orion tras casi medio siglo en servicio |url=https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4111661/ejercito-aire-despide-ultimo-p-3-orion-casi-medio-siglo-servicio |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
'''{{THA}}'''
*[[Royal Thai Navy]] – two P-3Ts (designated '''B.TPh.2B''' ({{langx|th|บ.ตผ.๒ข}})), one VP-3T, one UP-3T ('''B.TPh.2A''' ({{langx|th|บ.ตผ.๒ก}}));<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref> based at [[U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield]] (102 Sqn). Operated from 1995 to 2014.

===Civilian operators===

====United States====

*[[Buffalo Airways]] – one P-3A, Aerial firefighting|Waterbomber; Buffalo Airways USA Inc - N922AU<ref name="faa">{{Cite web|url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumbertxt=922AU|title=FAA Registry - Aircraft - N-Number Inquiry|website=registry.faa.gov|access-date=28 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fireaviation.com/2014/03/19/buffalo-purchases-a-p3/|title=Buffalo purchases a P3|work=Fire Aviation|access-date=28 December 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) – two WP-3Ds flown by NOAA Commissioned Corps officers, previously based at [[MacDill AFB]], now based at [[Lakeland Linder International Airport]], Florida
*[[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] – one ex-USN P-3B; based at [[NASA]]'s [[Wallops Flight Facility]], Virginia, used for low altitude heavy lift airborne science missions, modified to support passive microwave instruments, such as NOAA's Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer (PSR), NASA's 2-DSTAR, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) polarimetric scatterometer (POLSCAT) instruments.<ref>Eastmunt, Catherine. [http://wacop.wff.nasa.gov/LAAPBDesc.cfm "P-3B Description."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611084744/http://wacop.wff.nasa.gov/LAAPBDesc.cfm |date=11 June 2009 }} ''Wallops Flight Facility: NASA''. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>
*[[United States Department of Homeland Security]] / [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection|Bureau of Customs and Border Protection]] / [[CBP Air and Marine Operations|Office of Air and Marine]] – eight P-3 AEWs; based at [[Naval Air Station Corpus Christi|NAS Corpus Christi, Texas]], and [[Cecil Airport|Cecil Field]] and [[Naval Air Station Jacksonville|NAS Jacksonville]], Florida. Used for [[United States Border Patrol|border patrol]] and [[anti-drug]] duties. Former USN aircraft, modified and equipped with the same [[airborne early warning]] radar as fitted to the [[E-2 Hawkeye]].<ref>[http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/air_marine/air/aviation_asset/orion_p3b.xml "DHS Air Assets P-3 AEW: Lockheed Orion P-3B AEW."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029162504/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/air_marine/air/aviation_asset/orion_p3b.xml |date=29 October 2009 }} ''cbp.gov,'' 11 March 2009. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>
*United States Department of Homeland Security / Bureau of Customs and Border Protection / Office of Air and Marine – 8 P-3 LRTs (Long Range Tracker). Former USN aircraft also based at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida. Normally operate in tandem with P-3 AEW aircraft.<ref>[http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/air_marine/air/aviation_asset/orion_p3_lrt.xml "DHS Air Assets P-3 LRT: Lockheed Orion P-3B AEW."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029162605/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/air_marine/air/aviation_asset/orion_p3_lrt.xml |date=29 October 2009 }} ''cbp.gov,'' 11 March 2009. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref>
*[[MHD-ROCKLAND Services, Inc.]] – 5 former RAAF AP-3Cs. Aircraft are FAA Registered as L285D, and based in Keystone Heights, Florida.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N665bd|title = Aircraft Inquiry}}</ref>
*[[Airstrike Firefighters]] – 1 former [[Aero Union]] Tanker 23, with plans for 6 more P-3s.<ref>[http://fireaviation.com/2018/08/24/colorado-signs-cwn-contract-for-p-3-air-tankers "Colorado signs CWN contract for P-3 air tankers" //] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826113434/http://fireaviation.com/2018/08/24/colorado-signs-cwn-contract-for-p-3-air-tankers/|date=26 August 2018}}, accessed 28 August 2018 at [[Fire Aviation]].</ref>

===Former civilian operators===
====United States====
*[[Aero Union]] – eight ex-USN P-3A; aircraft based at [[Chico Municipal Airport]] in [[Chico, California|Chico]], California and converted into [[aerial firefighting]] platforms.<ref>[http://www.aerounion.com/#0#ato/firefighting.asp "Firefighting."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005125205/http://www.aerounion.com/ |date=5 October 2007 }} ''aerounion.com,'' 2003. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.</ref> Aero Union shut down and put its Orions up for auction in 2011.<ref name="auto"/>

==Notable events, accidents, and incidents==
* 30 January 1963: A P-3A, BuNo ''149762'', was lost at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, 14 crew killed.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19630130-0}}</ref>
* 4 July 1966: A P-3A, BuNo ''152172'', construction number 185-5142, assigned to [[VP-19]], Radio call sign Papa Echo Zero Five (PE-05), crashed {{convert|7|mi}} northeast Battle Creek, MI. It was on the return leg of a cross country training flight from NAS New York-[[Floyd Bennett Field]], New York to [[Moffett Federal Airfield|NAS Moffett Field]], California via [[Naval Air Station Glenview|NAS Glenview]], Illinois; all four crew lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com/post/p3-orion-crash-site-michigan-6599752|title=P-3 Orion Crash Site Michigan – Wreckchasing Message Board|website=pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714113042/http://pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com/post/p3-orion-crash-site-michigan-6599752|archive-date=14 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 6 February 1968: A P-3B, BuNo ''153440'', construction number 185-5237, assigned to [[VP-26]], crashed during an [[Operation Market Time]] combat patrol off Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. All 12 crew were lost as MIA. Initially attributed to mechanical failure, it was later suggested that it may have been shot down.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680206-0|title=No Title|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
* 1 April 1968: A P-3B, Registration ''153445'', construction number 185-5241, assigned to [[VP-26]], was shot down by surface anti-aircraft fire during an Operation Market Time combat patrol off Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. The AAA fire set an engine on fire, and during a subsequent landing attempt, the wing separated and the aircraft crashed, with the loss of all 12 crew.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680401-0|access-date=9 February 2020|title=ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed P-3B Orion 153445 Dao Phu Quoc Island}}</ref>
* 11 April 1968: An RAAF P-3B, Registration ''A9-296'', construction number 185-5406, crashed on runway 32L at [[Moffett Federal Airfield|NAS Moffett Field]], California after departing the manufacturer's facility during pre-delivery acceptance trials. The left main mount (undercarriage) collapsed upon landing and the aircraft ground-looped. All crew survived without serious injury, but the aircraft was completely destroyed by the resulting fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680411-2|title=No Title|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
* 6 March 1969: USN P-3A BuNo ''152765'' tail coded RP-07 of VP-31 crashed at [[Naval Air Station Lemoore|NAS Lemoore]], California, at the end of a practice ground control approach (GCA) landing, all six crew died.
* 28 January 1971: Commander Donald H. Lilienthal, USN flew a P-3C Orion to a world speed record for heavyweight turboprops. Over 15–25&nbsp;kilometers, he reached 501 miles per hour to break the Soviet [[Ilyushin Il-18|Il-18]]'s May 1968 record of 452 miles per hour.
* 26 May 1972: USN P-3A BuNo ''152155'' disappeared over the [[Pacific Ocean]] on a routine training mission after departing NAS Moffett Field, California, with the loss of eight crew members.<ref name=Moffett>Ranter, Harro and Fabian I. Lujan. [http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720526-1 "ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed P-3A-50-LO Orion 152155 California."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104032723/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720526-1 |date=4 November 2012 }} ''Aviation Safety Network,'' 2005. Retrieved: 28 June 2011.</ref>
* 3 June 1972: While attempting to fly through the [[Straits of Gibraltar]], ''en route'' from [[Naval Station Rota, Spain]] to [[Naval Air Station Sigonella]], Sicily, a P-3A of [[VP-44 (1951-91)|VP-44]] hit a mountain in Morocco, resulting in the death of all 14 crew on board.<ref>[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/usnavy-aircrew-morocco-06031972.htm "United States Navy Aircrew, 3 June 1972."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119225219/http://arlingtoncemetery.net/usnavy-aircrew-morocco-06031972.htm |date=19 November 2010 }} ''Arlington National Cemetery.'' Retrieved: 25 January 2011.</ref>
* 12 April 1973: A P-3C, BuNo ''157332'', operating from NAS Moffett Field, California collided with a [[Convair 990]] (N711NA) operated by [[NASA]] during approach to runway 32L. They crashed on the Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course, {{convert|0.5|mi}} short of the runway, resulting in destruction of both aircraft and the death of all but one crewmember.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19730412-1 "ASN Aircraft accident, Lockheed P-3C-125-LO Orion, 12 April 1973."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606142031/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19730412-1 |date=6 June 2011 }} ''Aviation Safety Network.'' Retrieved: 28 June 2011.</ref>
* 11 December 1977: USN P-3B BuNo ''153428'' from [[VP-11]] operating from [[Lajes Field]], [[Azores]] crashed on mountainous [[El Hierro]] (southwesternmost of the [[Canary Islands]]) in poor visibility. There were no survivors from the crew of 13.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19771211-0 "Lockheed P-3B-80-LO Orion."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009133533/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19771211-0 |date=9 October 2014 }} ''Aviation Safety Network.'' Retrieved: 21 January 2012.</ref>
* 26 April 1978: USN P-3B BuNo ''152724'' from [[VP-23]] crashed on landing approach to Lajes Field, Azores. Seven of the crew were killed and the plane sank into deep water preventing recovery to assess the cause of the crash.<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap3-5.pdf "Third VP-23."] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110709162543/http%3A//www%2Ehistory%2Enavy%2Emil/avh%2Dvol2/chap3%2D5%2Epdf |date=9 July 2011 }} ''United States Navy.'' Retrieved: 21 January 2012.</ref>
* 22 September 1978: USN P-3B BuNo ''152757'' from [[VP-8]] disintegrated over [[Poland, Maine]] on 22 September 1978. An over-pressurized fuel tank caused the port wing to separate at the outboard engine.<ref>[http://www.vpnavy.com/vp8_mishap.html "VP-8 Mishaps."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522192647/http://www.vpnavy.com/vp8_mishap.html |date=22 May 2013 }} ''U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons.'' Retrieved: 21 January 2012.</ref> The detached wing sheared off part of the tail; and aerodynamic forces caused the remaining engines and starboard wing to detach from the fuselage. Debris rained down near the south end of Tripp Pond shortly after 12:00. None of the 8-man crew survived.<ref>[http://www.sunjournal.com/oxford-hills/story/907518 "The ultimate sacrifice; wreck sites a reminder of military plane disasters."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310174154/http://www.sunjournal.com/oxford-hills/story/907518 |date=10 March 2012 }} ''Lewiston Sun Journal.'' Retrieved: 20 January 2012.</ref>
* 26 October 1978: USN P-3C, BuNo ''159892'', call sign coded AF 586 from [[VP-9]] operating from [[NAS Adak]] ditched at sea after an engine fire caused by a propeller malfunction. All but two of the 15-man crew were rescued by a Soviet trawler, but three crew members died of exposure.<ref>Jampoler, Andrew C.A. ''Adak: the rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586''. Annapolis, Maryland:  Naval Institute Press, 2003. {{ISBN|1-59114-412-4}}.</ref>
* 27 June 1979: A P-3B, BuNo ''154596'', from [[VP-22]] operating from [[Naval Air Station Cubi Point|NAS Cubi Point]] Philippines, had a propeller overspeed shortly after departure. The number 4 propeller then departed the aircraft, striking the number three with a subsequent fire on that engine. While attempting an overweight landing with two engines out, the aircraft stalled, rolled inverted and crashed in Subic Bay just past Grande Island. Four crew and one passenger were killed in the crash.<ref name="Remembrance">[http://www.vpinternational.ca/BOR/US.htm "Accident List- United States."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110114624/http://www.vpinternational.ca/BOR/US.htm |date=10 November 2015 }} ''VPI Book of Remembrance,'' 27 September 2008. Retrieved: 7 July 2012.</ref>
* 17 April 1980: USN P-3C BuNo ''158213'' from [[VP-50]] while flying for a parachuting exhibition in [[Pago Pago, American Samoa]] struck overhead tram wires and crashed, killing all six crew on board.<ref name="Remembrance"/>
* 17 May 1983: USN P-3B BuNo ''152733'' tail coded YB-07 from [[VP-1]] inadvertently landed gear up during a routine dedicated field work (DFW) pilot training flight at [[NAS Barbers Point]].  No crew were injured but the aircraft was a total loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vpnavy.com/vp1_mishap.html|title=VPNAVY – VP-1 Mishap Summary Page – VP Patrol Squadron |website=vpnavy.com |access-date=12 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324121617/http://vpnavy.com/vp1_mishap.html|archive-date=24 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* 16 June 1983: USN P-3B, BuNo ''152720'', tail coded YB-06 from [[VP-1]] at NAS Barbers Point crashed into a mountain top in fog and low clouds on the [[Napali Coast]] between the [[Honopū Valley|Honopū]] and [[Kalalau Valley|Kalalau]] valleys in [[Kauai]], Hawai'i, killing all 14 on board.<ref>{{cite news |title=15 victims still on ridge: All killed in P-3 crash on Kauai |first1=Robert |last1=Hollis |first2=Jan |last2=TenBruggencate |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=June 17, 1983 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser/140641015/ |access-date=April 15, 2025 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser/140641015/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser/140641015/ 3]}}</ref><ref name="Remembrance"/><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeuSTEU97Vc "The Crash of YB-06."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416105743/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeuSTEU97Vc |date=16 April 2016 }} ''youtube.com.'' Retrieved: 7 July 2012.</ref>
* 6 January 1987: Following a seven-hour P-3 ASW patrol, [[VP-6]]'s Crew Eight initiated restart of the loitered No. 1 engine, 830&nbsp;nm from [[NAS Barbers Point]]. The engine encountered RPM problems and failed to feather and overspeed leading to gearbox issues. After six hours of flight back to Barbers Point and only 12&nbsp;nm from the runway, the No. 1 prop disconnected and collided with prop No. 2 removing two prop tips. This caused the aircraft to roll violently to the left until prop No. 2 was able to be locked with the prop brake. Despite this, the crew managed to touch down on centerline, 2,000 feet down the runway, completing its landing roll-out with 2,500 feet remaining and all crew surviving.<ref>{{cite web |title=VP-6 Crew 8 lost propeller flight January 1987 |url=https://www.vp-6.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=309126&module_id=147414 |website=vp-6.org |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> Due to this event, P3 engine oil protocol was adjusted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vpnavy.com/vp6_mishap.html |website=vpnavy.com |access-date=14 August 2022|title=VPNAVY - VP-6 Mishap Summary Page - VP Patrol Squadron }}</ref>
* 13 September 1987: A Royal Norwegian Air Force P-3B, tail number "602", was hit from below by a Russian [[Sukhoi Su-27]] of the 941st IAP V-PVO. The Su-27 flew below the P-3's starboard side, then accelerated and pulled up, clipping the #4 engine's propellers. The propeller shrapnel hit the P-3B's fuselage and caused a decompression. There were no injuries and both aircraft returned safely to base.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_287.shtml |title=Bear Hunters, Part 3: Collision with Flanker |access-date=10 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729152940/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_287.shtml |archive-date=29 July 2014 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
* 25 September 1990:  The first production P-3C Update III, BuNo ''161762'', assigned to VP-31 at NAS Moffett Field, impacted the runway at an excessive rate of descent while conducting at dedicated field work sortie at [[Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Crows Landing]]. Both main landing gear failed and the aircraft slid down the runway.  Some crewmembers sustained minor injuries, but there were no fatalities.  The aircraft was a total loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900925-1|title=ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed P-3C Orion 161762 Crows Landing-Aux Field, CA (NRC)|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=12 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913203529/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900925-1|archive-date=13 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>    
* 21 March 1991: While on a training mission west of [[San Diego, California]], two USN P-3Cs, BuNos ''158930'' and ''159325'', assigned to VP-50 based at NAS Moffett Field collided in midair, killing all 27 crew on board both aircraft.<ref>[http://www.vpnavy.com/vp50mem_04dec98.html "VP-50 Crew 2/11 — In Memoriam — VP-50 Crew 2/11, 21 March 1991"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722170221/http://www.vpnavy.com/vp50mem_04dec98.html |date=22 July 2011 }}. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. Retrieved: 25 January 2011.</ref>
* 26 April 1991: An RAAF AP-3C, tail number ''A9-754'', lost a wing leading edge and crashed into shallow water in the Cocos Island; one crewman was killed. It was cut up and became an artificial reef.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19910426-0}}</ref>
* 16 October 1991: P-3A ''N924AU'' of [[Aero Union]] crashed into a mountain in Montana, United States killing both crew.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19911916-1}}</ref>
* 25 March 1995: USN P-3C BuNo ''158217'' assigned to [[VP-47]] was returning from a training mission in the North Arabian Sea when it suffered catastrophic engine failure of the number 4 engine. The aircraft ditched at sea {{convert|2|mi}} from [[RAFO Masirah]], Oman. All 11 crewmembers were rescued by the Royal Omani Air Force.<ref>"A P-3 ditches with Four engines Out, All Survive." http://www.vpnavy.org/vp47ditch.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225102520/http://www.vpnavy.org/vp47ditch.html |date=25 February 2014 }}.  Retrieved 20 February 2014.</ref>
* 1 April 2001: An aerial collision known as the [[Hainan Island incident]] between a USN EP-3E ARIES II, BuNo ''156511'', a [[ELINT|signals reconnaissance version]] of the P-3C, and a People's Liberation Army Navy [[Shenyang J-8|J-8IIM]] fighter resulted in the J-8IIM crashing and its pilot was killed. The EP-3 came close to becoming uncontrollable, at one point sustaining a near inverted [[Slow roll (aeronautics)|roll]], but was able to make an [[emergency landing]] on [[Hainan]].<ref name="Brookes">{{cite book |last1=Brookes |first1=Andrew |title=Destination disaster : aviation accidents in the modern age |date=2002 |publisher=Ian Allan |location=London |isbn=0-7110-2862-1 |pages=101–110}}</ref>
* 20 April 2005: P-3B ''N926AU'' of [[Aero Union]] crashed while conducting practice drops of water over an area of rugged mountainous terrain located north of the [[Chico Municipal Airport|Chico Airport]]. All three crew on board were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20050420-1|title=ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed P-3B Orion N926AU Chico, CA|first=Harro|last=Ranter|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=15 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015145934/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20050420-1|archive-date=15 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 21 October 2008: P-3C USN ''158573'' On landing, the aircraft overrun runway and lost its right landing gear. Nobody was injured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-lockheed-p-3-orion-bagram-afb |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128020229/https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-lockheed-p-3-orion-bagram-afb |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
* 22 May 2011: Twenty [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan]] militants claiming to avenge [[Osama bin Laden]]'s death destroyed two [[Pakistan Navy]] P-3Cs during an armed attack at [[PNS Mehran]], a Pakistan Navy base in Karachi.<ref>Jung, Ahmed, Faraz Khan and Jahanzaib Haque. [http://tribune.com.pk/story/173888/blast-on-dalmia-road/ "Navy says PNS base under control after attack."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523232926/http://tribune.com.pk/story/173888/blast-on-dalmia-road/ |date=23 May 2011 }} ''tribune.com,'' 23 May 2011. Retrieved: 23 May 2011.</ref> They had been frequently used to conduct overland counter-insurgency surveillance operations.<ref>Mackey, Robert. [http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/ "The Lede (blog): Before Attack, Pakistan's Navy Boasted of Role in Fight Against Taliban."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617162912/http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/ |date=17 June 2012 }} ''The New York Times,'' 23 May 2011.</ref>
* 15 February 2014: Three USN P-3Cs were crushed beyond repair when their hangar, at [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi|NAF Atsugi]], Japan, was destroyed by a massive snow storm.<ref>{{cite news|title=Navy Orions likely damaged in hangar collapse|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-orions-likely-damaged-in-hangar-collapse-1.268275|access-date=9 May 2014|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|date=18 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518094829/http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-orions-likely-damaged-in-hangar-collapse-1.268275|archive-date=18 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 29 May 2025: A P-3 Orion of the [[Republic of Korea Navy]] crashed in the southern city of [[Pohang]] in South Korea. All four crew members on board died in the crash.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 2025 |title=Navy plane crashes in South Korea|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/05/29/asia-pacific/navy-plane-crashes-south-korea/|access-date=28 May 2025 |work=thejapantimes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Hyung-Jin |last2=Tong-Hyung |first2=Kim |date=2025-05-29 |title=South Korean navy patrol plane crashes in country's south, killing 4 |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-navy-patrol-plane-crash-mountain-f180debf926b7200e5875e67a0d0df9b |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=AP News}}</ref>

==Surviving aircraft==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
* 150509 – P-3A – Moffett Field Historical Society (former [[NAS Moffett Field]]), California.
*151370 – P–3A Cockpit – Moffett Field Historical Society (former [[NAS Moffett Field]]), California.
* 150511 – VP-3A – [[Pima Air and Space Museum]], adjacent to [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], Tucson, Arizona.  Aircraft last assigned to Executive Transport Det, [[Naval Air Station Sigonella|NAS Signonella]], Sicily
* 151374 – P-3A – NAS Jacksonville Heritage Park, [[NAS Jacksonville]], Florida
* 152152 – P-3A – [[National Naval Aviation Museum]], [[NAS Pensacola]], Florida.  Aircraft last assigned to VP-69.
* 152156 – P-3A – [[Brunswick Executive Airport]] (former [[NAS Brunswick]]), Maine  
* 152184 – VP-3T – [[U-Tapao RTAFB]], Thailand.  Former US Navy aircraft, transferred to, operated by and later retired as gate guard by [[Royal Thai Navy]].
* 152729 – P-3B – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Washington, D.C. Registered as N769SK.
* 152748 – P-3B – Navy Operational Support Center (formerly [[Selfridge Air National Guard Base|Naval Air Facility Detroit]]), [[Selfridge ANGB]], Michigan.  Aircraft last assigned to VP-93.
* 152888 - P-3K2 - RNZAF 4203 Retired September 2023 gifted to [[Air Force Museum of New Zealand]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://airforcemuseum.co.nz/blog/national-hero-on-its-way-to-the-museum/ | title=National hero on its way to the Museum | date=14 August 2023 }}</ref>
* 154574 - P-3B - Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, adjacent to Horsham Air National Guard Station (former [[NAS/JRB Willow Grove]]), Horsham, Pennsylvania
* 160770 – P-3C CDU – Naval Air Museum Barbers Point, [[Kalaeloa Airport]] (former [[Naval Air Station Barbers Point]]), Hawaii.  Aircraft last assigned to VP-9, but carrying 1960s era markings of VP-6 for U.S. Naval Aviation Centennial celebration in 2011.
* 156515 – P-3C [[Hickory Aviation Museum]], at [[Hickory Regional Airport]], Hickory North Carolina.
* 160753 – AP-3C – Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, [[Shellharbour Airport]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. Ex-[[Royal Australian Air Force]] A9-753, former [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF|10 Squadron]] aircraft and later [[No. 292 Squadron RAAF|292 Squadron]] as a static training aid.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a9.htm |title=ADF Serials - Orion |access-date=18 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152503/http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a9.htm |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Officially handed over to HARS by the [[RAAF]] on 3 November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hars.org.au/2017/11/lockheed-ap-3c-orion-signed-hars/ |title=Lockheed AP-3C Orion Signed over to HARS - Historical Aircraft Restoration Society |date=4 November 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043644/https://hars.org.au/2017/11/lockheed-ap-3c-orion-signed-hars/ |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Civil registered as VH-ORI and will be maintained as a flying warbird.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hars.org.au/lockheed-ap-3c-orion/ |title=Lockheed AP-3C Orion - Historical Aircraft Restoration Society |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042126/https://hars.org.au/lockheed-ap-3c-orion/ |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 160756 – AP-3C – [[South Australian Aviation Museum]], South Australia. Construction number 5666, [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] A9-756, received by [[No. 10 Squadron RAAF|10 Squadron]] as a P-3C in 1978, upgraded to AP-3C in early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saam.org.au/lockheed-ap-3c-orion-a9-756/ |title=Lockheed AP-3C Orion A9-756 |date=11 January 2018 |publisher=[[South Australian Aviation Museum]] |access-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004103844/http://www.saam.org.au/lockheed-ap-3c-orion-a9-756/ |archive-date=4 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 160999 – P-3C UD II – [[Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay]], Hawaii.  Aircraft last assigned to VP-9.
* 161006 – P-3C UD II – [[Joint Base Andrews]] (former [[Naval Air Facility Washington]]), Maryland.  Aircraft last assigned to VP-68.
* 162776 - P-3C AIP+ - [[National Naval Aviation Museum]], [[NAS Pensacola]], Florida. Aircraft last assigned to VP-40. 

For Canadian aircraft on display, see [[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora]].

==Specifications (P-3C Orion)==
[[File:P-3B RNZAF USN MirageIII RAAF 1983.jpeg|thumb|P-3 aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the United States Navy (with RAAF [[Dassault Mirage III]])]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1994-95,<ref name=JAWA1994-95>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1994-95 |editor1-last=Lambert |editor1-first=Mark |editor2-last=Munson |editor2-first=Kenneth |date=1994 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulson, Surrey, UK |isbn=978-0710611604 |edition=85th |pages=554–557}}</ref> Specifications: P-3,<ref name='Lockheed Specs'>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/p3/p-3-specifications.html| title=Specifications: P-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815202344/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/p3/p-3-specifications.html |archive-date=15 August 2012 |website=lockheedmartin.com |access-date=13 October 2012}}</ref><ref name='USNavyFactFile'/>''
|prime units?=kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=11
|length ft=116
|length in=10
|length note=
|span ft=99
|span in=8
|span note=
|height ft=33
|height in=8.5
|height note=
|wing area sqm=120.77
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=7.5
|airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 0014 modified]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 0012 modified]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=61491
|empty weight note=<br />
*'''Zero-fuel weight:''' {{cvt|77200|lb|0}}
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=135000
|max takeoff weight note=MTOW normal<br />
::::{{cvt|142000|lb|0}} maximum permissible
*'''Maximum landing weight:''' (MLW) {{cvt|103880|lb|0}}
|fuel capacity={{cvt|9200|USgal|impgal l}} usable fuel in 5 wing and fuselage tanks ; ({{cvt|62500|lb|0}} maximum fuel weight) ; {{cvt|111|USgal|impgal l}} usable oil in 4 tanks
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name=[[Allison T56-A-14]]
|eng1 type=[[turboprop]] engines
|eng1 shp=4910
|eng1 note= (equivalent)

|prop blade number=4
|prop name=[[Hamilton Standard]] 54H60-77
|prop dia m=4.11
|prop dia note=constant-speed fully-feathering reversible propellers
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kts=411
|max speed note=at {{cvt|15000|ft|0}} and {{cvt|105000|lb|0}}
|cruise speed kts=328
|cruise speed note=at {{cvt|25000|ft|0}} and {{cvt|110000|lb|0}}
*'''Patrol speed:''' {{cvt|206|kn|mph km/h|0}} at {{cvt|1500|ft|0}} and {{cvt|110000|lb|0}}
|stall speed kts=133
|stall speed note=flaps up
::::{{cvt|112|kn|mph km/h|0}} flaps down
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|combat range nmi=1345
|combat range note=(3 hours on station at {{cvt|1500|ft|0}})
|ferry range nmi=4830
|ferry range note=
|endurance=17 hours 12 minutes at {{cvt|15000|ft|0}} on two engines
::::12 hours 20 minutes at {{cvt|15000|ft|0}} on four engines
|ceiling ft=28300
|ceiling note=<br />
::::{{cvt|19000|ft|0}}  one engine inoperative (OEI)
|climb rate ftmin=1950
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|25000|ft|0}} in 30 minutes
|wing loading lb/sqft=103.8
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.1455|hp/lb}} (equivalent)

|more performance=<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|4240|ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt|5490|ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt|2770|ft|0}}
<!--
        Armament
-->
|hardpoints= 10  wing stations in total (3x on each wing and 2x on each wing root) and eight internal bomb bay stations
|hardpoint capacity={{convert|20000|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name='USNavyFactFile'/>
|hardpoint rockets=None
|hardpoint missiles=<br />
***[[Air-to-surface missile]]:4×[[AGM-65 Maverick]], 6×[[AGM-84 Harpoon]], 4×[[Standoff Land Attack Missile|AGM-84 Standoff Land Attack Missile]] (SLAM-ER)<ref name='USNavyFactFile'/>
|hardpoint bombs=<br />
***[[Depth charge]]s, [[Mk 101 Lulu]] [[nuclear depth bomb]],10×[[CBU-100 Cluster Bomb|Mk 20 Rockeye]], [[Mark 80|MK80 Series]] (18×MK82, MK83, MK84) general-purpose bombs, [[B57 nuclear bomb]] (US service only, retired 1993)
|hardpoint other=<br />
***[[Mark 44 torpedo|Mk 44]] (mostly retired from service), 8× [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46]],<ref name='USNavyFactFile'/> 6× [[Mark 50 torpedo|Mk 50]], 7× [[Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo|Mk 54]] or [[MU90 Impact]] [[torpedo]]es
***Mk 25, Mk 39, Mk 55, 7× Mk 56, [[CAPTOR mine|Mk 60 CAPTOR]] or 6× Mk 65 or 18× Mk 62 or 11×Mk 63 Quickstrike [[naval mine]]s<ref name="NTC">[http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/orion/ "P-3C Orion – Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605124720/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/orion/ |date=5 June 2011 }} ''Naval-Technology.Com.'' Retrieved: 1 August 2010.</ref>
***Active and passive [[Sonobuoy]]s
|avionics=
*RADAR: [[Raytheon]] AN/APS-115 Maritime Surveillance Radar, AN/APS-137D(V)5 Inverse Synthetic Aperture Search Radar<ref name="NTC"/>
*IFF: APX-72, APX-76, APX-118/123 Interrogation Friend or Foe (IFF)<ref name="NTC"/>
*EO/IR: ASX-4 Advanced Imaging Multispectral Sensor (AIMS), ASX-6 Multi-Mode Imaging System (MMIS)
*ESM: ALR-66 Radar Warning Receiver, ALR-95(V)2 Specific Emitter Identification/Threat Warning
*[[Hazeltine Corporation]] AN/ARR-78(V) sonobuoy receiving system<ref name="NTC"/>
*Fighting Electronics Inc AN/ARR-72 sonobuoy receiver<ref name="NTC"/>
*IBM Proteus UYS-1 acoustic processor
*AQA-7 directional acoustic frequency analysis and recording sonobuoy indicators<ref name="NTC"/>
*AQH-4 (V) sonar tape recorder<ref name="NTC"/>
*ASQ-81 [[magnetic anomaly detector]] (MAD)<ref name="NTC"/>
*ASA-65 magnetic compensator<ref name="NTC"/>
*[[Lockheed Martin]] AN/ALQ-78(V) [[Electronic warfare support measures|electronic surveillance receiver]]<ref name="NTC"/>
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related =
*[[Lockheed CP-140 Aurora]]
*[[Lockheed EP-3]]
*[[Lockheed L-188 Electra]]
*[[Lockheed P-7]]
*[[Lockheed WP-3D Orion]]
|similar aircraft=
*[[ATR 72#ATR 72MP|ATR 72MP]]
*[[Avro Shackleton]]
*[[Boeing P-8 Poseidon]]
*[[Bombardier Dash 8|Bombardier Aerospace DHC-8-MPA-D8]]
*[[Breguet Atlantique]]
*[[Canadair CP-107 Argus]]
*[[CASA/IPTN CN-235|CASA CN-235 MPA]]
*[[EADS CASA C-295|CASA C-295 MPA]]
*[[EADS HC-144 Ocean Sentry]]
*[[Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod]]
*[[Ilyushin Il-38]]
*[[Kawasaki P-1]]
*[[Shin Meiwa PS-1]]
|lists=
*[[List of Lockheed P-3 Orion variants]]
*[[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
*[[List of active United States military aircraft]]
*[[List of Lockheed aircraft]]
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
|see also=
*[[Lockheed P-2 Neptune]]
*[[Martin P5M Marlin|Martin P-5 Marlin]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Reade |first= David |title=The Age of Orion: The Lockheed P-3 Orion Story |location=Atglen, Pennsylvania |publisher= Schiffer publications |year=1998 |isbn= 0-7643-0478-X}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|editor-last=Eden|editor-first=Paul|title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft|date=July 2006 |location=London|publisher=Amber Books, 2004|isbn=1-904687-84-9}}
* McCaughlin, Andrew. "Quiet Achiever." ''Australian Aviation'', December 2007.
* {{cite book |title=Upgrade of the Orion maritime patrol aircraft fleet : Department of Defence, Defence Materiel Organisation |date=2005 |publisher=Australian National Audit Office |location=Canberra |isbn=0-642-80867-8 |url=http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/2005-06_Audit_Report_10.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224211703/http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/2005-06_Audit_Report_10.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2009}}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Winchester |editor1-first=Jim |title=Military Aircraft of the Cold War (The Aviation Factfile) |date=2006 |publisher=Grange plc |location=London |isbn=1-84013-929-3}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081219002508/http://raaf.gov.au/aircraft/orion.aspx "AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft."] ''Royal Australian Air Force'', 28 November 2008. Retrieved: 14 July 2010.
*[http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a9.htm ADF-Serials RAAF Lockheed AP-3C, P-3B/C, TAP-3B Orion Page]
*[http://www.p3oriontopsecret.com/ P-3 Orion Computer Development History and Project A-New]
*[http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1400&ct=1 P-3C fact file] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316155749/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1400&ct=1 |date=16 March 2011 }}
*[http://www.p3orion.nl/ P-3 Orion Research Group]
*[https://airforcemuseum.co.nz/special-exhibitions/p3-orion-exhibition/ P-3 Orion Exhibition at Air Force Museum of New Zealand]

{{Lockheed}}
{{US patrol aircraft}}
{{USN patrol aircraft}}
{{Spanish reconnaissance aircraft}}
{{Thai anti-ship aircraft designations}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lockheed P-3 Orion| ]]
[[Category:Lockheed aircraft|P-003]]
[[Category:1950s United States patrol aircraft|Lockheed P-3 Orion]]
[[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined turboprop aircraft]]
[[Category:Signals intelligence]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1959]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]