P-3, CP-140, Electra

[rickshaw]

Just came across pictures of the NP-3D.





The NP-3D is used by the Naval Test Wing Pacific's Naval Weapons Test Squadrons at Point Mugu (NWTSPM) where it employs five NP-3D Orion aircraft  for operations on the local Sea Range and for worldwide missile test support. Range missions include radar/visual safety surveillance, telemetry data collection and retransmission, Time, Space, Position Information  (TSPI), high resolution optical collections and general Fleet support. The worldwide mission is broader, serving a large customer base which includes DoD constituents, foreign services, the Department of Energy (DoE) and more.

Three of the five NP-3D aircraft have been retrofitted with the unique billboard phased array telemetry antenna systems. Each of these systems can track up to five independent, geographically separated, S-Band telemetry sources, (including Harpoon, SLAM, Standard and Tomahawk missiles), provide recorded data collection in the S-band, and can retransmit six L-band frequencies to ground stations for real-time analysis. Two of these airframes have advanced capabilities of tracking five independent targets (extended S-band) with dual polarity and a gain in excess of 30 dB.

I could imagine something similar for an advanced AEW version of the P-3...

[GTX]

It was drawn quickly and is very crude, but KP-3B anyone:



Regards,

Greg

[McColm]

Could slot into the 'Alternative tankers'.

[PR19_Kit]

Couldn't they have made a serious effort and made the NP-3D uglier? 

I'm surprised they didn't have to add some forward lateral area to compensate for that YEUK of an aerial, it has some significant side area aft of the CoP.

[rickshaw]

Couldn't they have made a serious effort and made the NP-3D uglier? 

I'm surprised they didn't have to add some forward lateral area to compensate for that YEUK of an aerial, it has some significant side area aft of the CoP.

To quote someone or other, who I forget, "this lady is not made for turnin'!" 

[Maverick]

There are very few 'test' platforms that I've seen that can be construed as 'aesthetically pleasing' but for whatever reason, they appeal to me in spades.  The reality of their flight characteristics must be something else entirely however.

Regards,

Mav

[DarrenP]

with all the news from east africa about Piracy and use of Private military companies that might make some interesting colour schemes?

[McColm]

I'm not too sure about the engines, I used of the C-130 resin engines from David J Perkins on my Lockheed Neptune MR2 build.
I've used the Airfix 1/72 BAe Nimrod wings on my Revell Br.1150 Atlantic AEW & C build. They might work with  a P-3 fuselage or a Nimrod with Orion wings

[DarrenP]

Orion/Electra with Nimrod AEW3 radomes would be interesting

[McColm]

There is an AEW version flown by the US Customs using a E-2 Hawkeye spin top.
I came up with a carrier version, Arctic/ski and float plane ideas. As I'm using the wings and engines from one of my 1/72 P-3 Orion's' on a Super Connie concept the P-7 would be a possible build for me to utilise the remaining fuselage parts on my second P-3 and add the skis to the undercarriage wheels. I could add a pair of auxiliary jet engines under each wing, flight refueling probe and FLIR. Not too sure about opening up the weapons bay, I may have to get back to you on that after my HP Victor 1.5 MRA build.

[Damian2]

HOLY THREAD REVIVE!!

Hi guys,

Was doing a little research into the PX-L and P-X programs when I decided to tinker with the P-3 airframe and mate it to a new wing with winglet, tail plane and turbojet engines. This resulted in a deepening of the fuselage (now can house a bomb bay and sounabuoy launchers). Bear in mind this is a very quick and rought job and I have been up since 05:30 local (now 01:21)

I think with a little refinement this could be a pretty cool whiff. Will play around with the configuration changing up engines, wings and fuselage to see what works.

[kitnut617]

Air Spray's fire bomber, seen at the Airdrie Airshow July 2013

[kitnut617]

I like that Damien, what did you use, 737 wing ?

[Damian2]

I like that Damien, what did you use, 737 wing ?

Yup, it's a 737 wing but as any crazy idea I am still far from done

[DarrenP]

I like the thought of the Orion replacing the UK's nimrod fleet but updated like the P7 with the same engines as the J hercs and avionics from the nimrod 2000 project. but instead of them going to the RAF they become a Royal Navy Asset joining the Fleet Air Arm.