Maritime surveillance aircraft : P3C-Orion: newly acquired asset

Lockheed-Martin’s P3C Orion is a four-engine turbo-prop, anti-submarine.


Express May 22, 2011



Lockheed-Martin’s P3C Orion is a four-engine turbo-prop, anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft. As a patrol aircraft, it has advanced submarine detection sensors such as directional frequency and ranging sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection equipment.

The planes can carry a mixed payload of weapons internally and on wing pylons. The aircraft is designed to have a single integrated tactical picture of the battle space, drawing upon data from aircraft sensors and information from other platforms.


The United States handed two P3C Orion aircraft to Pakistan Navy in late April 2010. By 2012 Pakistan Navy is expected to take delivery of a total of eight P3C aircraft.

Lockheed has upgraded the P-3Cs’ aircraft and mission systems and is providing maintenance under a 2006 contract from the US Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command.

According to Mike Fralen, director for Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors’ maritime surveillance programmes, these aircraft incorporate a variety of enhanced features including communications, electro-optic and infrared systems, data management, controls and displays, mission computers and acoustic processing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (24)

Gora Saab | 12 years ago | Reply Was this attack part of a plot to allow China access to the advanced electronic systems of the P-3 Orion? The Chinese want to copy US military assets, as well as find ways to neurtalise US military assets by electronic warfare. Look at the JF-17 fighter copied from the F-16 of the States and developed in Pakistan, but mass produced in China for one quarter the cost of the USAF F-16. Perhaps the plot of the raid on the Pakistan Navy Base Mehran was a great deal more sophisticated than publically stated.
UNDISCLOSED | 12 years ago | Reply This is the starting of worse chain of surgency operations ,this incident has given the terrorists to get logistic support from sea shore.Also offering the NATO forces to take advantage of limited eyes of Pak Navy.Part of GREAT GAME.A very serious and attension needing situation for Pakistan.Let us wait for the upcoming results of this bad incident.Totally disappointing situation............
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