Aeronaves y UAV

Avión de patrulla P-3C Orion

Also known as
  • Lockheed P-3C Orion
  • P-3C
  • P-3C AIP
  • P-3C Update III
  • Avión de patrulla Orion

El P-3C Orion es el miembro armado de patrulla marítima de la familia terrestre P-3 de la U.S. Navy, construido por Lockheed para guerra antisubmarina, guerra antisuperficie, guerra de minas, vigilancia e ISR sobre tierra. Fuentes oficiales de la Armada y de historia de alas vinculan el servicio del P-3C con Desert Storm, Kosovo, Iraq, Afganistán, Libia y la Operation Inherent Resolve de 2014, incluidas configuraciones compatibles con Maverick y SLAM mientras la flota transitaba posteriormente al P-8A Poseidon.

Avión de patrulla P-3C Orion, Avión de patrulla marítima, Aeronaves y UAV
Image source: File:US Navy 030129-N-0226M-002 P-3C Orion.jpg

Role in Conflicts

1999 Kosovo War / Operation Allied Force
Side
NATO
Role in conflict
Avión de patrulla armado y apoyo de ataque a distancia

La historia del Wing 11 afirma que el P-3C AIP y su capacidad SLAM resultaron relevantes sobre Kosovo durante la Operation Allied Force, vinculando la configuración armada del Orion con la campaña aérea de la OTAN.

2011 First Libyan Civil War
Role in conflict
Ataque marítimo e interdicción

DVIDS informó que un avión de patrulla marítima P-3C de la U.S. Navy atacó al buque Vittoria de la Guardia Costera libia y a embarcaciones menores cerca de Misrata después de informes de que esos buques disparaban contra navegación mercante.

2014 War Against the Islamic State
Role in conflict
Patrulla de seguridad marítima con carga de ataque de precisión

DVIDS documenta a marineros de VP-46 cargando un AGM-65F Maverick en un P-3C Orion en el área de la U.S. 5th Fleet mientras el escuadrón estaba desplegado en apoyo de la Operation Inherent Resolve de 2014.

Mission Roles And Evidence Limits

La página del P-3C es más sólida cuando las fuentes identifican la aeronave por modelo, escuadrón, operación y arma transportada. Parte de la historia más amplia de alas de patrulla es útil como contexto de servicio, pero las filas de conflictos se mantienen vinculadas a operaciones nombradas en lugar de tratar cada despliegue de la familia P-3 como uso de combate del P-3C.

FunciónEvidencia documentadaTratamiento en el catálogo
Patrulla marítima y ASWNAVAIR y las fichas de la Armada describen al P-3C como una aeronave de patrulla de largo alcance con misiones ASW y ASuW.Usado en el tipo básico, resumen, etiquetas y especificaciones.
ISR sobre tierraAFCENT describe aeronaves P-3C apoyando Iraqi Freedom y Enduring Freedom con misiones de vigilancia sobre tierra y mar.Usado para notas de la Guerra de Iraq de 2003 y la Guerra de Afganistán de 2001 con redacción directa de la operación.
Ataque marítimo armadoDVIDS documenta un P-3C atacando buques libios en 2011 y a VP-46 cargando un AGM-65F durante la Operation Inherent Resolve de 2014.Usado para filas de conflicto y la relación de munición transportada Maverick.

Fuentes: P-3C Orion - NAVAIR; U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact File; Navy P-3C Orion Watches Over Land, Sea; US Navy P-3C, USAF A-10 and USS Barry Engage Libyan Vessels; VP-46 Onloads Maverick Missile Onto P-3C Orion.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Estados Unidos
Type
Avión de patrulla marítima
Service note
Entró en servicio con la U.S. Navy en 1969; escuadrones de reserva y operadores extranjeros siguieron volando el aparato después de la transición de las unidades activas al P-8A Poseidon.

Specifications

Función principal
Guerra antisubmarina (ASW), guerra antisuperficie (ASuW), patrulla marítima, guerra de minas, vigilancia e ISR sobre tierra
Tripulación
Diez: tres pilotos, dos oficiales de vuelo naval, dos ingenieros de vuelo, tres operadores de sensores y un técnico en vuelo
Propulsión
Cuatro motores turbohélice Allison T-56-A-14 de 4.600 caballos de potencia cada uno
Longitud
116,7 pies (35,57 metros)
Envergadura
99,6 pies (30,38 metros)
Peso máximo bruto al despegue
139.760 libras (63.394 kilogramos)
Armamento
Misiles AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84K SLAM-ER y AGM-65F Maverick, torpedos Mk46/50/54, cohetes, minas y bombas de profundidad
Variants

Fuentes públicas de la U.S. Navy presentan Update III como la base del P-3C y describen programas posteriores de mejora como modernizaciones de sistemas de misión y vigilancia armada.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement ProgramModernización ISR y de ataque marítimo armado

Fuentes oficiales de la Armada y de alas de patrulla describen AIP como una mejora de mando, control, comunicaciones, vigilancia y supervivencia que conservaba la capacidad antisuperficie armada.

Sources: U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact File, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Command History

Update II.5Estándar anterior de actualización de sistemas de misión

La historia del ala sitúa los estándares de actualización del P-3C antes del periodo AIP, mientras que la redacción de la ficha de la Armada trata Update III como la principal base pública.

Sources: Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Command History, U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact File

Municiones transportadas

Fuentes oficiales documentan al P-3C transportando misiles antibuque, misiles aire-superficie, torpedos ligeros y minas navales en contextos de prueba, entrenamiento y operación.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Harpoon, Anti-ship cruise missile family, MunitionsHarpoonMisil de crucero antibuque lanzado desde el aire

La cronología de Boeing registra la primera prueba exitosa de lanzamiento del misil antibuque Harpoon desde un P-3C Orion de la U.S. Navy.

Sources: Boeing chronology

AGM-65 Maverick, Air-to-surface guided missile, MunitionsAGM-65 MaverickMisil guiado aire-superficie

DVIDS documenta a VP-46 cargando un AGM-65F Maverick en un P-3C Orion mientras estaba desplegado en apoyo de la Operation Inherent Resolve de 2014.

Sources: VP-46 Onloads Maverick Missile Onto P-3C Orion

MK-46 torpedo, Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo, MunitionsMK-46 torpedoTorpedo ligero antisubmarino

NAVAIR y la ficha de la Armada listan torpedos de la familia Mk46 entre las opciones de armamento del P-3C para misiones antisubmarinas.

Sources: P-3C Orion - NAVAIR, U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact File

MK 50 Honeywell torpedo, Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo, MunitionsMK 50 Honeywell torpedoTorpedo ligero antisubmarino

NAVAIR y la ficha de la Armada listan torpedos Mk50 entre las armas antisubmarinas transportadas por el P-3C.

Sources: P-3C Orion - NAVAIR, U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact File

Mk 65 Quick Strike naval mine, 2,000-pound naval mine, MunitionsMk 65 Quick Strike naval mineMina naval sembrada desde el aire

Informes de DVIDS sobre MINEX identifican al P-3C como una aeronave compatible con Mk 65 y describen un P-3C lanzando minas inertes Mk 65 durante un ejercicio bilateral de guerra de minas.

Sources: VP-8 and JMSDF MINEX

Timeline

Avión de patrulla P-3C Orion Key Events

  1. El P-3C entra en servicio con la U.S. Navy

    Fuentes de la Armada identifican 1969 como el año de entrada en servicio del P-3C con la flota estadounidense.

    Sources: P-3C Orion - NAVAIR, U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact File

  2. Apoyo a Desert Storm

    La historia del ala de patrulla describe apoyo multimisión del P-3C a las Operations Desert Shield y Desert Storm.

    Sources: Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Command History

  3. Configuración AIP en Allied Force

    La historia del ala vincula el P-3C AIP y la capacidad SLAM con la Operation Allied Force sobre Kosovo.

    Sources: Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Command History

  4. Ataque a buques libios

    DVIDS informó que un P-3C de la U.S. Navy se unió a un A-10 y al USS Barry para atacar buques libios cerca de Misrata durante la Operation Odyssey Dawn.

    Sources: US Navy P-3C, USAF A-10 and USS Barry Engage Libyan Vessels

  5. Comienza la transición al P-8A

    La historia del ala de patrulla dice que la Armada aceptó la primera aeronave P-8A en 2012, iniciando la transición desde el P-3C en unidades de primera línea.

    Sources: Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Command History

  6. Carga de Maverick por VP-46 durante OIR

    Imágenes de DVIDS documentan a marineros de VP-46 cargando un AGM-65F Maverick en un P-3C mientras estaba desplegado en apoyo de la Operation Inherent Resolve de 2014.

    Sources: VP-46 Onloads Maverick Missile Onto P-3C Orion

Media

Avión de patrulla P-3C Orion Images

Avión de patrulla P-3C Orion, Avión de patrulla marítima, Aeronaves y UAV - view 1
Source: File:P-3C Orion, Sensor Two Station.jpg
Avión de patrulla P-3C Orion, Avión de patrulla marítima, Aeronaves y UAV - view 2
Source: File:Touch down of Lockheed P-3C Orion (60+01).jpg
Related Weapon Systems
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AGM-65 Maverick, Air-to-surface guided missile, MunitionsMunitionsAGM-65 MaverickAir-to-surface guided missileThe AGM-65 Maverick is a U.S. air-to-surface guided missile family for close air support, interdiction, and defense suppression from aircraft including the A-10, F-16, F-15E, AV-8, F/A-18, and P-3C. Air Force and Navy fact sheets describe electro-optical, imaging-infrared, and laser-guided seekers paired with either shaped-charge or heavyweight penetrating warheads. Official sources document large-scale Desert Storm employment, later Iraq and Afghanistan use, and AGM-65F loading on a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve.
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SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, Shipboard maritime helicopter family, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsSH-60 Seahawk helicopterShipboard maritime helicopter familyThe SH-60 Seahawk is the U.S. Navy's shipboard H-60 maritime helicopter family, spanning legacy SH-60B/F and HH-60H aircraft and the MH-60R/S successors now used from cruisers, destroyers, littoral combat ships, carriers, and other aviation-capable vessels. Navy and NAVAIR sources describe a family built around anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, cargo lift, special operations support, and maritime force protection.
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Sources

P-3C Orion - NAVAIRPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports the P-3C Orion mission, contractor context, long-range ASW/ASuW role, crew, propulsion, dimensions, and armament. | Accessed: 2026-06-29U.S. Navy P-3C Orion Fact FilePublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: Supports P-3C Update III and AIP configuration context, reserve-squadron service, mission roles, armament, specifications, and P-8A transition background. | Accessed: 2026-06-29P-3 Orion - Naval History and Heritage CommandPublisher: Naval History and Heritage Command | Note: Supports the P-3 Orion family’s patrol-aircraft background, dimensions, and general service context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 Command HistoryPublisher: U.S. Navy Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Direct conflict-use source for P-3C support to Desert Shield and Desert Storm, P-3C AIP use over Kosovo during Operation Allied Force, and wing P-3C operations in later Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Unified Protector, and Inherent Resolve contexts. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Navy P-3C Orion Watches Over Land, SeaPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Direct conflict-use source for U.S. Navy P-3C aircraft supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with surveillance missions over land and sea. | Accessed: 2026-06-29US Navy P-3C, USAF A-10 and USS Barry Engage Libyan VesselsPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Direct conflict-use source for a U.S. Navy P-3C maritime patrol aircraft engaging Libyan Coast Guard vessel Vittoria and smaller craft near Misrata during the 2011 First Libyan Civil War intervention. | Accessed: 2026-06-29VP-46 Onloads Maverick Missile Onto P-3C OrionPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Direct conflict-use source for VP-46 fielding an AGM-65F Maverick on a P-3C Orion while deployed in support of 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve; also supports the Maverick carried-munition relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-29VP-8 and JMSDF MINEXPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the P-3C and Mk 65 Quick Strike naval mine carried relationship through training reporting that identifies the P-3C as a Mk 65-capable aircraft and documents inert Mk 65 drops. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Boeing chronologyPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports the P-3C Orion carried relationship because Boeing's chronology says the Harpoon anti-ship missile had a successful first drop test when released from a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion patrol aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-29File:US Navy 030129-N-0226M-002 P-3C Orion.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing page for the primary P-3C Orion gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29File:P-3C Orion, Sensor Two Station.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing page for the P-3C Orion sensor-station gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29File:Touch down of Lockheed P-3C Orion (60+01).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and Creative Commons licensing page for the landing gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29