P-3C Orion

While its primary mission was originally anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime patrol, the four-engine turboprop P-3C Orion has increasingly become a multi-mission platform as evidenced by its invaluable support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where it provided battlefield surveillance! Utilizing its long-range and the ability to remain on station for long periods of time, the P-3C patrolled the battlespace and provided instantaneous reports to troops on the ground!

Mission roles for the P-3C in addition to ASW now include anti-surface warfare (ASUW), carrier battle group support, over-the-horizon (OTH) surveillance and targeting, interdiction operations, and littoral warfare. To assist in its anti-surface role, new equipment has been installed including imaging radar and electro-optic sensors. ASW equipment in the P-3C includes magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) and sonobuoys including directional frequency and ranging (DIFAR) sonobuoys.

The P-3C can carry a variety of weapons depending on its assigned mission. Weapons include Mk 46 and Mk 50 torpedoes and depth bombs for ASW; Harpoon missiles for ASUW, and SLAM-ER and Maverick missiles for strike warfare.

Speed: 405 kts max./209 kts patrol
Ceiling: 34,000 ft. (10,364 m)
Range: 4,500 nm (8334 km) ferry;
            2,380 nm (4408 km) patrol radius
Endurance: 14.5 hr
Crew: up to 15

AVIONICS:
APS-115 or -137(V) radar; AQS-81(V)1 MAD; ASQ-114 digital computer; AAS-36 FLIR; 87 sonobuoys

WEAPONS:
7,700 kg disposable ordnance, including 4 Mk 46 or Mk 50 torpedoes, 4 SLAM or Maverick ASM, 6 908-kg mines, etc.

(Gameplay loadout can include):
Mk 46 torpedoes, Mk 50 torpedoes, SLAM-ER (Stand off Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response), Maverick ASM, 1,000 lb and 2,000 lb mines.

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