Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the maritime patrol & asw aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed NP-3 Orion
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1961–1990
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT · EARLY COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the maritime patrol & asw aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Base AirframeLockheed L-188 Electra
- Mission Typemaritime patrol and anti‑submarine warfare
- Service Entry Year1962
- Flight Crew11
- Mission Crew5
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
- Engine TypeAllison T56 turboprop
- Number of Engines4
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Cruise Speed560 km/h
- Service Ceiling10,668 m
- Range7,400 km
- Endurance12
- On-Station Time10
◇Mission Systems10MOD.10
- Primary Sensor / RadarMagnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD)
- Detection Range200 km
- AESA RadarNo
- Rotodome / AEW AntennaNo
- Operator Consoles2
- SIGINT / ELINT SuiteNo
- Magnetic Anomaly DetectorYes
- Sonobuoy CapabilityYes
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Self-Protection SuiteYes
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)3MOD.3
- TorpedoesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Weapons Payload4,000 kg
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
- Length35.1 m
- Wingspan35.1 m
- Max Takeoff Weight40,800 kg
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built757
- Operators1
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1961
- Production End1990
- Operational StatusActive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1961Production started
- 1990Production ended
65
years in service
29
years in production
12
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory11country · 192units
192active
05 / MASS Score
MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT RANKING Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
8MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT2EARLY COLD WAR · MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT269UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS3PERFORMANCE/PRICE · MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT
ⓘ Rankings are within theMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraftcategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) is an instrument used to measure and detect variations in the Earth's magnetic field, primarily for locating submarines or other large metallic objects.
A sonobuoy is a expendable, self‑contained buoy equipped with acoustic or other sensors, deployed from aircraft to detect and track submarines or surface vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources