Lockheed P-3 Orion - Variants

Variants

Over the years, numerous variants of the P-3 have been created. A few notable examples are:

• WP-3D: Two P-3C aircraft as modified on the production line for NOAA weather research, including hurricane hunting.
• EP-3E Aries: 10 P-3A and 2 EP-3B aircraft converted into ELINT aircraft.
• EP-3E Aries II: 12 P-3C aircraft converted into ELINT aircraft.
• AP-3C: All Royal Australian Air Force P-3C/W aircraft which have been fully upgraded with totally new mission systems by L-3 Communications to include an Elta SAR/ISAR RADAR and a GD-Canada Acoustic Processor system.
• CP-140 Aurora: Long-range maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the Canadian Forces. Based on the P-3C Orion airframe, but mounts the more advanced electronics suite of the S-3 Viking; 18 built
• CP-140A Arcturus: Three P-3s without ASW equipment for Canadian Aurora crew training and various coastal patrol missions.
• 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.