Photograph:
Lockheed P-3K Orion NZ4206 of the RNZAF at Omaka, South Island in April 2003 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft
Power Plant:
Four 3,655 kw (4,900 eshp) Allison T-56-A-14 turboprops
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 30.38 m (99 ft 8 in)
- Length: 35.61 m (116 ft 10 in)
- Height: 10.3 m (33 ft 8½ in)
- Wing area: 120.77 m² (1,300 sq ft)
- Max speed at 4,572 m (15,000 ft): 766 km/h (476 mph)
- Normal cruising speed at 7,629 m (25,000 ft): 639 km/h (397 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 997 m/min (3,270 ft/min)
- Loiter endurance on four engines at 457 m (1,500 ft): 12.9 hours
- Loiter endurance on two engines: 17 hours
- Max mission radius with 3 hours on station at 457 m (1,500 ft): 4,076 km (2,533 miles)
- Empty weight: 29,030 kg (64,000 lb)
- Max loaded weight: 57,834 kg (127,500 lb)
Armament:
Mk 46 torpedoes; various mines and depth charges
History:
The Orion has been described as arguably the most versatile tool in the RNZAF inventory. The process of the RNZAF obtaining the Orion commenced on 24 March 1964 when the New Zealand Minister of Defence announced approval in principle for the purchase of five P-3A Orion aircraft to replace the Short Sunderland flying boats then in service. Following a visit to the United States by an evaluation team, the Cabinet approved the purchase. In October 1965 RNZAF Sunderland conversion training ceased and in May 1966 five crews proceeded to Moffett Air Station, California where P-3B (NZ2401) was handed over at Pembroke on 5 August and delivered to Moffett Naval Air Station for training.
This aircraft (NZ4201 – BuAer 152886 – c/n 185-5190) was flown to Whenuapai, arriving on 27 September 1966. The other four aircraft arrived on 10, 11, 12 and 14 December 1966 (serials NZ4202 – BuAer 152887 – c/n 185-5192; NZ4203 – BuAer 152888 – c/n 185-5200; NZ4204 – BuAer 152889 – c/n 185-5202; NZ4205 – BuAer 152890 – c/n 185-5208). New Zealand was the first export customer for the Orion.
These aircraft began operations with No 5 Squadron from Auckland in 1967 and were joined in May 1985 by a sixth P-3B (NZ4206 – BuAer 155291 – c/n 185-5401) purchased second-hand from the RAAF after the RAAF fleet was replaced by new-build P-3C Orions. In New Zealand service the type has primarily operated as an anti-submarine and maritime reconnaissance aircraft carrying Mk 46 torpedoes, mines and depth charges. The aircraft is fitted with a 70 million candlepower searchlight under the starboard wing and basic installation includes two Lindholme dinghies and two survival containers. NZ2406 differed from the other aircraft in having a maximum take-off weight of 61,236 kg (135,000 lb) and a fuel dump facility.
RNZAF Orions have overflown the Antarctic, one making a touch-and-go at McMurdo Sound in December 1971. Aircraft have flown on occasion from Dunedin to the Antarctic to drop mail. The Squadron has also flown on exercises overseas, including to the United Kingdom for the Fincastle Trophy Competition.
In April 1977 it was decided to upgrade the fleet to either the US updated P-3B or P-3C standard. In June 1980 Boeing Aerospace was awarded what became known as the P-3K (K for Kiwi) Project Rigel update to take place over a period of four years. The first aircraft converted was NZ4201 at Seattle, and the remainder of the fleet was converted by Air New Zealand in Auckland. This upgrade included a new Texas Instruments APS-134 radar, this providing a range of up to 280 km (174 miles) as against 74 km (46 miles) with the previous equipment, a Texas Instruments AA-36 infra-red detection system, a Boeing Universal Display and Control system allowing the display of radar, infra-red or video tape display on all VDU screens, etc. Further upgrades became known as Rigel 2 and Rigel 3 in order to improve the aircraft’s life expectancy.
The Orion continues in service and, in addition to the normal anti-submarine operations, has been used for anti-shipping strike operations, the direction of other RNZAF attack aircraft, crew training conversions, mail drops and medical evacuation flights. However, advancing age started to catch up with the aircraft and, although it was designed around a fail-safe structure, hard work at low-altitude brought about severe airframe fatigue which led to a structural replacement program designed to extend the life of the aircraft. This became known as Project Kestrel and involved renewal of the outer wing assemblies, horizontal stabiliser, centre section lower skin planks and nacelle longerons, this work to be carried out from 1995 by Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems.
At about the same time another project, named Project Sirius, was approved for a much needed avionics upgrade. However, as a result of a change in Government, Project Sirius was cancelled and the tactical mission systems upgrade did not proceed. After another change of Government, a contract was signed for the systems upgrade to bring the aircraft up to P-3K2 standard, this being based on Elta’s EL/M 2022 (V)3 radar, delivery of the first modified aircraft taking place in 2011.
In mid-2018 the New Zealand Government announced it was ordering four examples of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon to replace the P-3K2 Orion in RNZAF service with delivery to take place and service entry in 2023, the Orions to run out of airframe time by 2025. Because of airfield limitations at RNZAF Whenuapai No 5 Squadron, when it takes delivery of the aircraft, will move to RNZAF Ohakea.