Lockheed WP-3D Orion: Difference between revisions
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The '''Lockheed WP-3D Orion''' is a highly modified [[P-3 Orion]] used by the [[Aircraft Operations Center]] division of the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA). The aircraft are operated by officers of the [[NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOJvrWZrkdU |title=Tour of NOAA WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunter |date=2021-04-07 |last=NOAA Marine Aviation |access-date=2024-07-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=No off-season for science and NOAA's aircraft {{!}} Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |url=https://www.omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-operations/news-media/article/no-season-science-and-noaas-aircraft |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=www.omao.noaa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsday |date=2024-07-04 |title=Flying into the eye of the storm |url=https://newsday.co.tt/2024/07/04/flying-into-the-eye-of-the-storm/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |language=en-US}}</ref> Only two of these aircraft exist, each incorporating numerous features for the role of collecting weather information. During the [[Atlantic hurricane season]], the WP-3Ds are deployed for duty as [[NOAA Hurricane Hunters|hurricane hunters]]. The aircraft also | The '''Lockheed WP-3D Orion''' is a highly modified [[P-3 Orion]] used by the [[Aircraft Operations Center]] division of the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA). The aircraft are operated by officers of the [[NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOJvrWZrkdU |title=Tour of NOAA WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunter |date=2021-04-07 |last=NOAA Marine Aviation |access-date=2024-07-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=No off-season for science and NOAA's aircraft {{!}} Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |url=https://www.omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-operations/news-media/article/no-season-science-and-noaas-aircraft |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=www.omao.noaa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsday |date=2024-07-04 |title=Flying into the eye of the storm |url=https://newsday.co.tt/2024/07/04/flying-into-the-eye-of-the-storm/ |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |language=en-US}}</ref> Only two of these aircraft exist, each incorporating numerous features for the role of collecting weather information. During the [[Atlantic hurricane season]], the WP-3Ds are deployed for duty as [[NOAA Hurricane Hunters|hurricane hunters]]. The aircraft also supports research on other topics, such as Arctic ice coverage, air chemistry studies, and ocean water temperature and current analysis.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.tbo.com/list/military-news/noaa-hurricane-hunters-to-get-35-million-overhaul-20140814/|title=MacDill hurricane hunters to get $35 million overhaul|last=Altman|first=Howard|date=August 14, 2014|work=The Tampa Tribune|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603103008/http://www.tbo.com/list/military-news/noaa-hurricane-hunters-to-get-35-million-overhaul-20140814/|archive-date=June 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
==Design== | ==Design== | ||
The WP-3Ds are equipped with three weather [[radar]]s, [[C band (IEEE)|C band]] radar in the nose and on the lower fuselage, and an [[X-band radar]] in the aircraft's tail. They are also equipped with the ability to deploy [[dropsonde]]s into storm systems, and have onboard temperature sensors, and other meteorological equipment. While | The WP-3Ds are equipped with three weather [[radar]]s, [[C band (IEEE)|C band]] radar in the nose and on the lower fuselage, and an [[X-band radar]] in the aircraft's tail. They are also equipped with the ability to deploy [[dropsonde]]s into storm systems, and have onboard temperature sensors, and other meteorological equipment. While these aircraft are not specially strengthened for flying into hurricanes, their decks were reinforced to withstand the additional equipment load. | ||
It has a ''[[barber's pole]] sampler'' (named for its red and white stripes) that protrude from the aircraft's front, a tail [[Weather radar|Doppler weather radar]], and other unique-looking instruments{{vague|date=October 2024}}{{clarify|date=October 2024}} hanging from the wing.<ref>{{cite web |url= | It has a ''[[barber's pole]] sampler'' (named for its red and white stripes) that protrude from the aircraft's front, a tail [[Weather radar|Doppler weather radar]], and other unique-looking instruments{{vague|date=October 2024}}{{clarify|date=October 2024}} hanging from the wing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2008/03/staff.html |title=USGS Extreme Storm Team Receives Christmas Week Tour of NOAA Aircraft Facility |first1=Dennis |last1=Krohn |date=March 2008 |accessdate=December 14, 2010 |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828184832/https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2008/03/staff.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
==Operational history== | ==Operational history== | ||
NOAA currently operates two WP-3Ds nicknamed ''[[Miss Piggy]]'' and ''[[Kermit the Frog|Kermit]]'', and their logos feature the characters created by [[Jim Henson Productions]]. NOAA's other hurricane hunting aircraft, the [[Gulfstream IV-SP]], is named ''[[Gonzo (Muppet)|Gonzo]]''; they complement the fleet of [[WC-130]] aircraft operated by the [[United States Air Force]] [[53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron]]. As of 2014, the two Orions had each flown more than 10,000 hours and flown into more than 80 hurricanes.<ref name=":0" /> In 2024, NOAA announced plans to replace these two aircraft with modified [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130Js]], and they are scheduled to be retired by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NOAA Aircraft Acquisition Status Update |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/nws/IHC2023/Presentations/Goldstein_OMAO.pdf |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Weather.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shannon |first=Jonathan |date=2024-09-27 |title=NOAA awards contract for next-generation hurricane hunter aircraft {{!}} National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-awards-contract-for-next-generation-hurricane-hunter-aircraft |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.noaa.gov |language=en}}</ref> | NOAA currently operates two WP-3Ds nicknamed ''[[Miss Piggy]]'' and ''[[Kermit the Frog|Kermit]]'', and their logos feature the characters created by [[Jim Henson Productions]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NOAA Hurricane Hunters {{!}} Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |url=https://www.omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-operations/noaa-hurricane-hunters |website=www.omao.noaa.gov |publisher=NOAA |access-date=30 December 2025 |ref=NOAA_OMAO |archive-url=https://archive.is/q0V5W |archive-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> NOAA's other hurricane hunting aircraft, the [[Gulfstream IV-SP]], is named ''[[Gonzo (Muppet)|Gonzo]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Hurricane Research Division of AOML/NOAA |url=https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/about_hrd/aircraft.html |website=www.aoml.noaa.gov |publisher=NOAA |access-date=30 December 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.is/996D7 |archive-date=30 December 2025}}</ref>; they complement the fleet of [[WC-130]] aircraft operated by the [[United States Air Force]] [[53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron]]. As of 2014, the two Orions had each flown more than 10,000 hours and flown into more than 80 hurricanes.<ref name=":0" /> In 2024, NOAA announced plans to replace these two aircraft with modified [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130Js]], and they are scheduled to be retired by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NOAA Aircraft Acquisition Status Update |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/nws/IHC2023/Presentations/Goldstein_OMAO.pdf |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Weather.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shannon |first=Jonathan |date=2024-09-27 |title=NOAA awards contract for next-generation hurricane hunter aircraft {{!}} National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |url=https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-awards-contract-for-next-generation-hurricane-hunter-aircraft |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.noaa.gov |language=en}}</ref> | ||
Between 2015 and 2017, the aircraft received major overhauls, costing a total of $35 million. This work was performed by the [[United States Navy]]'s [[Fleet Readiness Center Southeast]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] [[Florida]]. The work included new wings and engines and upgraded radars and avionics. NOAA anticipates that these changes will allow the aircraft to fly until between 2032 and 2037.<ref name=":0" /> | Between 2015 and 2017, the aircraft received major overhauls, costing a total of $35 million. This work was performed by the [[United States Navy]]'s [[Fleet Readiness Center Southeast]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] [[Florida]]. The work included new wings and engines and upgraded radars and avionics. NOAA anticipates that these changes will allow the aircraft to fly until between 2032 and 2037.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
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[[File:WP-3D Orion new paint scheme.jpg|thumb|Lockheed WP-3D Orion in flight with NOAA's newer paint scheme|alt=Lockheed WP-3D Orion in flight]] | [[File:WP-3D Orion new paint scheme.jpg|thumb|Lockheed WP-3D Orion in flight with NOAA's newer paint scheme|alt=Lockheed WP-3D Orion in flight]] | ||
{{Aircraft specs | {{Aircraft specs | ||
|ref=Riders of the storms<ref name="ai119p93">{{Harvnb|Broadbent|2019|p=93}}</ref><!-- reference --> | | ref = Riders of the storms<ref name="ai119p93">{{Harvnb|Broadbent|2019|p=93}}</ref><!-- reference --> | ||
|prime units?=kts<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, | | prime units? = kts<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification,met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --><!-- General characteristics--> | ||
met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> | | genhide = | ||
<!-- | | crew = Up to 22 (3 pilots, 2 flight engineers, navigator, flight director, 2–3 engineering/electronics specialists, radio/avionics specialist and up to 12 scientists) | ||
| capacity = | |||
--> | | length m = | ||
|genhide= | | length ft = 116 | ||
| length in = 10 | |||
|crew=Up to 22 ( | | length note = | ||
|capacity= | | span m = | ||
|length m= | | span ft = 99 | ||
|length ft=116 | | span in = 8 | ||
|length in=10 | | span note = | ||
|length note= | | height m = | ||
|span m= | | height ft = 34 | ||
|span ft=99 | | height in = 3 | ||
|span in=8 | | height note = | ||
|span note= | | wing area sqm = | ||
|height m= | | wing area sqft = 1300.0 | ||
|height ft=34 | | wing area note = <ref name="jup94p334">{{Harvnb|Michell|1994|p=334}}</ref> | ||
|height in=3 | | aspect ratio = 7.5:1<ref name="jup94p334" /> | ||
|height note= | | airfoil = | ||
|wing area sqm= | | empty weight kg = | ||
|wing area sqft=1300.0 | | empty weight lb = 73000 | ||
|wing area note=<ref name="jup94p334">{{Harvnb|Michell|1994|p=334}}</ref> | | empty weight note = | ||
|aspect ratio=7.5:1<ref name="jup94p334" /> | | gross weight kg = | ||
|airfoil= | | gross weight lb = | ||
|empty weight kg= | | gross weight note = | ||
|empty weight lb=73000 | | max takeoff weight kg = | ||
|empty weight note= | | max takeoff weight lb = 135000 | ||
|gross weight kg= | | max takeoff weight note = | ||
|gross weight lb= | | fuel capacity = | ||
|gross weight note= | | more general = <!-- | ||
|max takeoff weight kg= | |||
|max takeoff weight lb=135000 | |||
|max takeoff weight note= | |||
|fuel capacity= | |||
|more general= | |||
<!-- | |||
Powerplant | Powerplant | ||
--> | --> | ||
|eng1 number=4 | | eng1 number = 4 | ||
|eng1 name=[[Allison T56]]-14 | | eng1 name = [[Allison T56]]-14 | ||
|eng1 type=[[turboprop]]s | | eng1 type = [[turboprop]]s | ||
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> | | eng1 kw = <!-- prop engines --> | ||
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines --> | | eng1 hp = <!-- prop engines --> | ||
|eng1 shp=4500<!-- prop engines --> | | eng1 shp = 4500<!-- prop engines --> | ||
|eng1 note= | | eng1 note = | ||
|more power= | | more power = | ||
| prop blade number = <!-- propeller aircraft --> | |||
|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | | prop name = | ||
|prop name= | | prop dia m = <!-- propeller aircraft --> | ||
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | | prop dia ft = <!-- propeller aircraft --> | ||
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | | prop dia in = <!-- propeller aircraft --> | ||
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft --> | | prop dia note = <!-- | ||
|prop dia note= | |||
<!-- | |||
Performance | Performance | ||
--> | --> | ||
|perfhide= | | perfhide = | ||
| max speed kmh = | |||
|max speed kmh= | | max speed mph = | ||
|max speed mph= | | max speed kts = | ||
|max speed kts= | | max speed note = | ||
|max speed note= | | max speed mach = <!-- supersonic aircraft --> | ||
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> | | cruise speed kmh = | ||
|cruise speed kmh= | | cruise speed mph = | ||
|cruise speed mph= | | cruise speed kts = 250 | ||
|cruise speed kts=250 | | cruise speed note = | ||
|cruise speed note= | | stall speed kmh = | ||
|stall speed kmh= | | stall speed mph = | ||
|stall speed mph= | | stall speed kts = | ||
|stall speed kts= | | stall speed note = | ||
|stall speed note= | | never exceed speed kmh = | ||
|never exceed speed kmh= | | never exceed speed mph = | ||
|never exceed speed mph= | | never exceed speed kts = | ||
|never exceed speed kts= | | never exceed speed note = | ||
|never exceed speed note= | | minimum control speed kmh = | ||
|minimum control speed kmh= | | minimum control speed mph = | ||
|minimum control speed mph= | | minimum control speed kts = | ||
|minimum control speed kts= | | minimum control speed note = | ||
|minimum control speed note= | | range km = | ||
|range km= | | range miles = | ||
|range miles= | | range nmi = 3800 | ||
|range nmi=3800 | | range note = at high altitude; {{convert|2500|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} at low altitude | ||
|range note=at high altitude; {{convert|2500|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} at low altitude | | combat range km = | ||
|combat range km= | | combat range miles = | ||
|combat range miles= | | combat range nmi = | ||
|combat range nmi= | | combat range note = | ||
|combat range note= | | ferry range km = | ||
|ferry range km= | | ferry range miles = | ||
|ferry range miles= | | ferry range nmi = | ||
|ferry range nmi= | | ferry range note = | ||
|ferry range note= | | endurance = 11.5 hours at high altitude; 9.5 hours at low altitude | ||
|endurance=11.5 hours at high altitude; 9.5 hours at low altitude | | ceiling m = | ||
|ceiling m= | | ceiling ft = 27000 | ||
|ceiling ft=27000 | | ceiling note = | ||
|ceiling note= | | g limits = <!-- aerobatic --> | ||
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> | | roll rate = <!-- aerobatic --> | ||
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> | | glide ratio = <!-- sailplanes --> | ||
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> | | climb rate ms = | ||
|climb rate ms= | | climb rate ftmin = 3000 | ||
|climb rate ftmin=3000 | | climb rate note = | ||
|climb rate note= | | time to altitude = | ||
|time to altitude= | | sink rate ms = <!-- sailplanes --> | ||
|sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes --> | | sink rate ftmin = <!-- sailplanes --> | ||
|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes --> | | sink rate note = | ||
|sink rate note= | | lift to drag = | ||
|lift to drag= | | wing loading kg/m2 = | ||
|wing loading kg/m2= | | wing loading lb/sqft = | ||
|wing loading lb/sqft= | | wing loading note = | ||
|wing loading note= | | disk loading kg/m2 = | ||
|disk loading kg/m2= | | disk loading lb/sqft = | ||
|disk loading lb/sqft= | | disk loading note = | ||
|disk loading note= | | fuel consumption kg/km = | ||
|fuel consumption kg/km= | | fuel consumption lb/mi = | ||
|fuel consumption lb/mi= | | power/mass = | ||
|power/mass= | | thrust/weight = | ||
|thrust/weight= | | more performance = <!-- | ||
|more performance= | |||
<!-- | |||
Armament | Armament | ||
--> | --> | ||
|armament=<!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following | | armament = <!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following | ||
specific parameters, remove this parameter--> | specific parameters, remove this parameter--> | ||
|guns= | | guns = | ||
|bombs= | | bombs = | ||
|rockets= | | rockets = | ||
|missiles= | | missiles = | ||
|hardpoints= | | hardpoints = | ||
|hardpoint capacity= | | hardpoint capacity = | ||
|hardpoint rockets= | | hardpoint rockets = | ||
|hardpoint missiles= | | hardpoint missiles = | ||
|hardpoint bombs= | | hardpoint bombs = | ||
|hardpoint other= | | hardpoint other = | ||
| avionics = | |||
}} | |||
| | == Accidents and incidents == | ||
}} | On September 15 1989, [[1989 Hurricane Hunters NOAA 42 incident|NOAA 42]], a Hurricane Hunter aircraft, experienced an engine fire due to a sensor failure while flying through Hurricane Hugo. The crew managed to extinguish the fire and land safely back at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weather Underground |url=https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/articles/hunting-hugo-part-1 |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=www.wunderground.com}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 03:12, 30 December 2025
Template:Short description Template:Infobox aircraft The Lockheed WP-3D Orion is a highly modified P-3 Orion used by the Aircraft Operations Center division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The aircraft are operated by officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.[1][2][3] Only two of these aircraft exist, each incorporating numerous features for the role of collecting weather information. During the Atlantic hurricane season, the WP-3Ds are deployed for duty as hurricane hunters. The aircraft also supports research on other topics, such as Arctic ice coverage, air chemistry studies, and ocean water temperature and current analysis.[4]
Design
The WP-3Ds are equipped with three weather radars, C band radar in the nose and on the lower fuselage, and an X-band radar in the aircraft's tail. They are also equipped with the ability to deploy dropsondes into storm systems, and have onboard temperature sensors, and other meteorological equipment. While these aircraft are not specially strengthened for flying into hurricanes, their decks were reinforced to withstand the additional equipment load.
It has a barber's pole sampler (named for its red and white stripes) that protrude from the aircraft's front, a tail Doppler weather radar, and other unique-looking instrumentsScript error: No such module "Unsubst".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". hanging from the wing.[5]
Operational history
NOAA currently operates two WP-3Ds nicknamed Miss Piggy and Kermit, and their logos feature the characters created by Jim Henson Productions.[6] NOAA's other hurricane hunting aircraft, the Gulfstream IV-SP, is named Gonzo[7]; they complement the fleet of WC-130 aircraft operated by the United States Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. As of 2014, the two Orions had each flown more than 10,000 hours and flown into more than 80 hurricanes.[4] In 2024, NOAA announced plans to replace these two aircraft with modified C-130Js, and they are scheduled to be retired by 2030.[8][9]
Between 2015 and 2017, the aircraft received major overhauls, costing a total of $35 million. This work was performed by the United States Navy's Fleet Readiness Center Southeast in Jacksonville Florida. The work included new wings and engines and upgraded radars and avionics. NOAA anticipates that these changes will allow the aircraft to fly until between 2032 and 2037.[4]
Specifications (WP-3D Orion)
Accidents and incidents
On September 15 1989, NOAA 42, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft, experienced an engine fire due to a sensor failure while flying through Hurricane Hugo. The crew managed to extinguish the fire and land safely back at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados.[10]
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Lockheed WC-130
- Convair 580 – National Research Council (Canada) converted to perform atmospheric testing
Related lists
Notes
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
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