P-3 Orion in Action

Lockheed’s twin-engine P2V Neptune became the United States Navy’s standard patrol aircraft in 1947 and was highly effective in service, but had reached its growth limits by the mid-1950s.

The Navy selected Lockheed to develop a new aircraft in 1958, which was based on the firm’s four-engine L-188 Electra turboprop airliner. The YP3V-1 prototype first flew in late 1959 and led to the P3V-1 Orion production aircraft, which entered USN service in July of 1962. 

Re-designated the P-3A in September of 1962, the Orion soon replaced the Neptune on maritime patrol duties and was further refined in the P-3B and P-3C variants. It became the West’s most widely employed maritime patrol aircraft.

The P-3 has also been modified for various tasks, including electronic intelligence collection and atmospheric research. Naval aircraft experts Richard S. Dann and Rick Burgess trace the Orion’s development and service in this new book.