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P3C
Orion |
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| The Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion
first entered military service in 1962, with the
current P-3C first introduced in 1969. It is the
‘work horse’ of the Royal Australian Air Force
Maritime Patrol Group (MPG). An extremely versatile
aircraft, the Orion performs well in a multitude of
roles including Under Sea (anti submarine) and
Surface (anti ship) Warfare, Maritime Surveillance,
Naval Fleet Support and Search and Survivor Supply.
MPG, located at RAAF Edinburgh, 25km north of
Adelaide, South Australia, is responsible for
conducting long-range surveillance missions within
Australia's Economic Exclusion Zone and throughout
the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The significantly upgraded
Australian Orions, designated AP-3C, were introduced
into service in 2002 and are fitted with a variety
of sensors, including digital multi-mode radar,
electronic support measures, electro optics
detection (infra-red and visual), magnetic anomaly
detector, identification Friend or Foe and acoustic
detection.
AP-3C Orion flight training is
conducted primarily in two simulators, the Advanced
Flight Simulator and the Operational Mission
Simulator. MPG's wartime missions include locating
and attacking enemy submarines and ships using
torpedoes and Harpoon anti-shipping missiles. The
Orion may work alone, or in conjunction with other
aircraft or ships. MPG also assists in Search and
Rescue operations throughout Australia's region of
responsibility by conducting Search and Survivor
Supply (SASS) missions.
MPG's tasks are conducted by No. 92 Wing, which was
formed in 1977 and is the first Maritime Wing in the
history of the Royal Australian Air Force. The
operational squadrons of 92 Wing are Nos. 10 and 11
Squadrons, which have histories dating back to World
War II, where they operated successfully throughout
Europe, Australia and the Pacific. No. 292 Squadron
is responsible for the training of 92 Wing air and
ground crew, while the Maritime Acceptance, Test and
Evaluation Unit is responsible for the acceptance of
new aircraft systems into MPG.
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Manufacturer |
Lockheed
Martin |
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Role |
Under Sea
Warfare, Surface Warfare, Surveillance,
Search and Survivor Supply (SASS) |
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Engine |
Four Allison
T56A-14- each 4,600 shaft horsepower
each |
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Airframe |
Length: 35.6m
Height: 10.44m |
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Wingspan |
30.8m |
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Weight |
61,200kg
maximum |
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Endurance |
15hrs |
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Speed |
750km/h
cruise (350 kts) at 26,000 ft, 370km/h
(200 kts) loiter |
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Armament/
Ordnance |
Mk 46 / MU 90
Torpedoes, AGM 84 Harpoon air to surface
missiles, various sonobuoys and stores,
Air
Sea Rescue Kits (ASRK), Storpedoes,
Heliboxes |
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Crew |
(13 in total)
Two Pilots (Captain and Copilot), two
Flight Engineers, Tactical Co-ordinator,
Navigator/Communication Officer, Sensor
Employment Manager, six Airborne
Electronic Analysts |
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Force Size
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Air Force has
19 P-3C/ AP-3C Orions |
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