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Lockheed P-3C Orion
Photo: Piergiuliano Chesi · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
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LockheedP-3COrion

Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft · United States · 1961
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LockheedP-3COrion

Lockheed P-3C Orion
Lockheed P-3C Orion Photo: Piergiuliano Chesi · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
ASW Effectiveness
88
Sensor Suite
85
Endurance
90
Range
87
Weapons Payload
80
Sonobuoy Capability
88
Search Coverage
85
Reliability
82
Technology
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United States
ManufacturerLockheed Corporation
CategoryMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft
EraEarly Cold War
In service1961–1990
Operators15 countries
Quantity757
Data Quality88%
86
Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft MASS Rating
1/23
Early Cold War
2/130
All-Time
Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft · 10 axes scored
ASW Effectiveness
88
Sensor Suite
85
Endurance
90
Range
87
Weapons Payload
80
Sonobuoy Capability
88
Search Coverage
85
Reliability
82
Technology
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the maritime patrol & asw aircraft category.
01 / Overview
Lockheed P-3C Orion
Prime contractor
Production
1961–1990
Quantity
757
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MARITIME PATROL & ASW AIRCRAFT · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
86
maritime patrol & asw aircraft category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the maritime patrol & asw aircraft category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General4MOD.4
  • Base AirframeLockheed L-188 Electra
  • Mission TypeMaritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare
  • Service Entry Year1962
  • Flight Crew11
◈Powerplant2MOD.2
  • Engine Typeturboprop
  • Number of Engines4
▣Performance4MOD.4
  • Cruise Speed540 km/h
  • Service Ceiling10,600 m
  • Range6,300 km
  • Endurance12
◇Mission Systems2MOD.2
◆Armament (ASW/Strike)2MOD.2
▤Dimensions3MOD.3
  • Length29.9 m
  • Wingspan34.4 m
  • Max Takeoff Weight45,000 kg
⬢Production1MOD.1
  • Total Built757
▲Service History1MOD.1
  • Operational StatusActive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1961Production started
  3. 1980Sale: Canada (18 units)
  4. 1990Production ended
  5. 2023Sale: Argentina (4 units)
65
years in service
29
years in production
757
units produced
12
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
LOCKHEED P-3C ORION · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Lockheed P-3C Orion 1961
// SIBLING VARIANTS
06 / Operators
Lockheed P-3C OrionSALES2records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
2023Argentina4——
1980Canada18——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
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.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Maritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft entry →