The P-3 Orion is a peerless airborne hunter. Its reputation as the ultimate submarine finder was achieved through more than 35 years of service, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to round-the-clock, low profile patrols throughout the Cold War. Today the P-3 is still very busy, remarkably well adapted for maritime patrol in the post-Cold War world. In fact, no other plane is better suited.
The P-3 can be outfitted with a variety of sophisticated detection equipment. Infrared and long-range electro-optical cameras plus special imaging radar allow it to monitor activity from a comfortable distance. It can stay aloft for extremely long periods, and its four powerful Allison T56-A-14 engines can fly at almost any altitude. And like all good hunters, the P-3 has no problem carrying weapons.
In addition to sub hunting, the P-3 is now called upon for peacekeeping and relief missions around the world. When civil war flared in Liberia, P-3s were the eyes and ears of forces protecting the U.S. Embassy. In Somalia, P-3s monitored street operations in Mogadishu from well off shore. In Rwanda, P-3s tracked large groups of refugees to help pinpoint relief efforts. Then in Desert Storm, P-3s logged more than 12,000 hours in 1,200 combat surveillance sorties. With capabilities like these, it is no wonder that somewhere above the earth, there is nearly always an Orion, serving as an eye in the sky.
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