keady - i went looking for P3 instrument panels and stumbled on this
interesting site
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TagsTraining, Patrol, Antisubmarine, Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Navigation,Â
Test and Evaluation, Aircraft, Warfare, InterdictionRelated Content
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- Aircraft--Fixed Wing
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P-3 Orion
Wing span:Â 100 feet
Length: 117 feet
Height: 34 feet
Weight: maximum takeoff: 142,000 pounds
Speed: maximum: 473 mph
cruise: 377 mph
Ceiling: 28,300 feet
Range: maximum mission radius: 2,380 nautical miles
3 hours on station at 1,500 feet: 1,346 nautical miles
Power plant:Â four Allison T56-A-14 turboprop engines
Crew: 10
Contractor: Lockheed
Description:Â Standard Aircraft Characteristics Chart for an P-3C
Far from sight of land, skimming over rough seas whose depth and darkness hide
a possibly hostile submarine, ten men concentrate on instrument panels, scopes
and detection devices as their P-3 Orion flies an ASW search pattern. The P-3
is from a long line of Navy patrol planes. It is powered by four constant-speed
turboprop engines, swinging 13 1/2-foot paddle-blade propellers. For sea-level
ASW work, two engines may be shut down to achieve increased time on station.
Crew efficiency is increased not only through improved equipment, but also by
an improved environment. Instead of the cramped, confined spaces found in
earlier patrol planes, the P-3 boasts 250 percent more floor area than the
Neptune. It has a pressurized cabin, air conditioning, electrically heated
floor panels, and plenty of stand-up and walk-around space. Controllable,
polarized lighting reduces eye strain, and comfortable adjustable chairs cut
crew fatigue.
The tactical coordinator (TACCO), along with sensor operators, monitors the
plane's sophisticated electronic detection gear, including sonobuoys, radar,
MAD and electronic countermeasure equipment. Navigation and position location
are assisted by inertial and Doppler navigation systems, as well as tactical
navigation devices used in the submarine contact area.
Armament available for ASW attacks include torpedoes, depth charges, bombs and
rockets, which may be carried in the bomb bay or on underwing pylons. Pilot or
TACCO may select and release weapons as the tactical situation requires. Status
panels provide a continuous display of the weapons inventory available for use.
A similar panel gives a visual reference to the search store's status.
The newest version, the P-3C, adds an airborne general purpose digital computer
and new ASW sensors. The computer integrates all information necessary to
detect, localize and kill an enemy sub. The P-3C's low light level TV (LLLTV)
permits visual observation, at dusk and in starlight, of surface targets
previously undetected by the human eye.
No matter how well an aircraft does its job, there is always room for
improvement. Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1), NAS Patuxent River,
Md., conducted operational test and evaluation of the P-3C Update III weapons
prototype aircraft system to determine the operational suitability and
effectiveness of the antisubmarine warfare avionics package for service use.
The P-3C aircraft has undergone two previous improvement programs of major
significance. Update I, introduced in 1975, incorporated new data processing
avionics and software, while Update II in 1977 featured an infrared detection
system, a sonobuoy reference system, the Harpoon antiship missile and a
28-channel magnetic tape recorder/reproducer.
The IBM Proteus acoustic processing system is featured on the Update III. The
previously employed directional frequency analysis and recording (DIFAR) system
allowed sonobuoy reception on only 31 separate radio frequencies. Proteus
employs up to 99 different radio frequencies. Each receiver channel is tunable
to all of the frequencies, so that the loss of one receiver channel does not
result in the loss of that particular sonobuoy's information.
Four major elements have been incorporated into the Update III. A single
advanced signal processor (SASP) processes the acoustic signals for display to
the acoustic operator and determine whether such sounds are produced by random
ocean noises or submarines. Two video screens enable crew members to study a
graphic representation of acoustic signals transmitted by many sonobuoys
simultaneously. The SASP utilizes three programs internally as well as
interfacing with the aircraft's CP-901 computer for tactical data transfer.
The adaptive controlled phased array (ACPA) is a sonobuoy antenna system which
consists of four antennas arranged in a diamond formation on the belly of the
aircraft. This system is controlled by the tactical coordinator via keyset
entries to the P-3's CP-901 computer. The ACPA, which boasts increased VHF
reception range, rejects undesired electromagnetic signals.
Acting as the sonobuoy receiver system, the advanced sonobuoy communication
link (ASCL) extracts acoustic data received from the sonobuoy as it is picked
up by the antennas.
A sonobuoy signal testing device, called the acoustic test signal generator
(ATSG), broadcasts sonobuoy signals and simulated acoustic data on all 99 radio
frequencies to check the system while the aircraft is on the ground. The ATSG's
signals are transmitted to the ACPA antennas which in turn route them to the
SASP. The device can simulate all passive and active sonobuoy types, including
the bathythermograph sonobuoy.
Another new system, although not unique to the Update III aircraft, is the
digital magnetic tape system (DMTS). It has been installed in all Update IIs
since March 1981 and functions as a program loading device for both SASP and
CP-901 program loading, as well as a digital data extraction device for the
CP-901.
Aircrews and maintenance personnel, as well as VX-1 acoustic sensor operators
and tactical coordinators, underwent extensive training to study the Update
III's new acoustic system, in preparation for operational test and evaluation.
VX-1's role in the test and evaluation of the new antisubmarine weapons system
required that testing be conducted in an operational "real world" environment
using fleet aircrews and maintenance personnel. The squadron deployed with the
Update III to several operational sites, including the Atlantic Undersea Test
and Evaluation Center range, Bahamas; Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility,
Roosevelt Roads, P.R.; the operating areas of Jacksonville, Fla., Brunswick,
Maine, southern California and the Virginia Capes; and from deployed sites at
Sigonella, Sicily, and Keflavik, Iceland.
The P-3C Update III and its antisubmarine avionics improvements were found to
be operationally effective and potentially suitable for operational use. Based
on the test results, improvements incorporated since operational test and
evaluation, and the low risk associated with correcting the deficiencies noted,
it has been recommended that provisional acceptance for service use be
continued. The first fullscale production deliveries of the P-3C Update III
began in the mid-1980s.
Numerous modifications and improvements have been made to the P-3C Update III
during the past 10 years. Designed primarily as an anti-submarine warfare
platform, the Orion has begun a modernization plan to keep pace with increasing
multi-mission requirements: Over-the-Horizon surveillance and targeting,
maritime patrol, carrier battle group support, interdiction operations, and
littoral warfare. The Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) Improvement Program (AIP)
will provide an imaging radar, electro-optic sensors, and near real-time
connectivity of surveillance/reconnaissance data with battle group and national
command decision makers.
Published: Fri Dec 09 15:48:34 EST 2022
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Revised: 20250507
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