NEW DEVELOPMENTS Worldwide P-3 Status Report by David Reade

NEW DEVELOPMENTS Worldwide P-3 Status Report By David Reade

This P-3 Status Report compiled by David Reade developing the aircraft in exchange for props, the Boeing Update IV package is based on multiple inteniews and conversations obtaining production models. Ger- with improved with the US Novy'sFMS Office, USN Squodron MAD, new ESM and many hoped get VAQ-33, COMPATWING's ATLANTIC and to twelye of the ad- OTHT (Over the Horizon Target) PACIFIC, N1S Jacksonville NADEP, vanced airframes, but development systems. The aircraft will be laid out TRACOR Applied Sciences (Air Systems Dept), problems arose, and the p-7A was with the side-by-side sensor stations USN VP-30, Lockheed's International Program- cancelled by the US Navy. (like the old Alphas and Bravos) and mes Office (fOSC Conference), Boeing Defense a 3-2 adjustable ond Spoce Group, IMP (Holifox), US Customs Both Lockheed and the Navy cockpit. With 24 dit- Service, US Forest Service, Aero (Jnion, began to study the continuation of an ching stations, later provisions for the Blackhills Aviation, Howkins and Powers Avio- advanced Orion, after the announce- "EFIS" Glass Cockpit and an in-flight tion, NASA, and Internotionol Orion Operators: ment that Lockheed would resume refuelling probe are planned. Australia (RAAF), Spoin, Jopan (MSO- production of the P-3 for the Republic Both the US Navy and Lockheed JMSDF), Conodian Armed Forces, Norway ,,p-3C (RNoAF) and the Netherlands. Additionat of Korea. Later designated have made it clear that Orion II would documents provided by most of these sources Orion II", the new Orion would be an only be available with the Update IV were also utilized. - The Editor extension of the Korean production package. base-line airframe, with Orion II im- Thirty years ago, Lockheed,s Bur- provements incorporated into Update Mvionics Upgrade bank facility rolled out what would production. Programme later become the premier ASW ,,Sub- The Orion II included most of the The Hunting" Maritime Patrol aircraft: the first functional flight test of planned features scheduled the the Update pro- P-3 Orion! Though production of the for IV Avionics Upgrade P-7A such as advanced turboprop gramme, Orion at Burbank was halted in early developed by Boeing Defense engines with six-bladed, composite 1997, this action has not diminished and Space Group, took place on the amount of activity surrounding the P-3, nor its future. Immediately following the end of production, the follow-on, next- generation Maritime Patrol aircraft was to have been developed. The P-7A LRAACA (Long-Range Air Anti- Submarine Capable Aircraft) was derived from the P-3 Orion. The somewhat larger aircraft was to include increased sonobuoy and harpoon capacity; next-generation turboprop (6000 HP) engines with six-bladed, composite props and new defensive chaff-flare dispenser pods. Avionics would have encompassed the Boeing update IV package with new ESM, radar, navigation and the Collins "EFIS" (Electronic Flight Instrumen- tation System) "Glass Cockpit". The P-7A design allowed for more weapons, greater range and longer on-station loitering, while using less fuel than current P-3's. Many The Universal Display and Control System (UDACS) workstations are a key element in the US countries (Australia, Japan, England Navy's P-3 Update IV system. The first functional flight test of the Update IY system, developed by Boeing Defense and Space Group, took place on 16 December 1991. and Germany) were interested in co- (Boeing)

PAGE 62 MARITIME PATROL AVIATION SEPTEMBER 1992 December 16, 1991. The first series of flights studied the non-acoustic systems associated with the Update IV, while later flight testing (in early 1992) put emphasis on evaluating the "uYS-2" acoustic processor, with the dropping of numerous sonobuoys off the Washington (State) Coast. The heart of the Boeing Update . ii 'ii ' n "ai lliln- -'' IV Programme is the advanced '"uu*o***t'**ffi - technology "Distribution Pro- cessor,/Display Generator Unit" (DPIDGU) system. This is an in- The Canadian Armed Forces have acquired three new P-3 designated CP140A "ARCTURUS,' tegrated, information-management aircraft from Lockheed. This photo depicts the CP140A in its green primer before delivery to IMP Halifax for installation of its sensor systems. and planning system, which accepts all (Lockheed) incoming sensor data, processes it and the Secretary of Defense, Maritime This leaves the US Navy with distributes it to crew-station displays. Patrol Force levels are to be drawn about 264 Charlie models in operation, The DPIDGU utilizes new high- down from 24 active/|3 Reserve hence the Navy's decision to extend the resolution, full-colour displays that Squadrons to 18 active/9 Reserve. service life of these aircraft by im- replace old P-3 monochromatic screens Several Squadrons were dis-established plementing a "SLAP"-Service Life and central processors. This update in 1991. Assessment Programme. The Pro- system provides for easier task opera- The new FY 1993 budget provides gramme will study fleet Orions to tions. Coupled with the redistribution for two more active a.nd four Reserve determine their fatigue-life condition, of operators' workload, the crew's Squadrons to be deactivated before the and use the generated data to create ability to identify, locate and prosecute end of 1993. preventative measures to extend their contact targets is increased. service life. This be conducted This plan also includes the phasing out will Scheduled delivery of the pro- through of VP-31 Fleet Replacement (Training) a "SLEP"-Service Life Exten- gramme testbed Orion aircraft (and sion Programme. SLEP, Squadron at Moffett Field. The coupled with Block 2 software) to the Navy is plann- potential new aircraft procurement Squadron's last classes will be combined for August 1993. (Orion II), will provide the Navy with ed with those of VP-30 at NAS The Navy will then conduct its the force levels to meet its requirements Jacksonville by December 1992. own series of flight testing for a year. well into the next century. Boeing, once approved, will retro-fit This reduction plan is also in line the Update IV into approximately 109 with the military-base closings directed ' Foreign Military Sales Navy P-3C Update I and II airframes. by the Pentagon. NAS Moffett Field Foreign military make up the bulk The Update IV production system, has been targeted to close, with VP-40 of new Orion operators. The Republic scheduled for the Orion II, differs transferring to NAS Brunswick and of Korea ordered eight p-3C Update from that of the retro-fit package to VP-46 moving to NAS Jacksonville. III Orions in 1989, prompting the re- be installed on the older Orions. This Remaining West Coast (active) opening of the P-3 production line at is mostly because of the new interior Squadrons: VP-47 and VP-9, will be Marrietta, GA. Designated p-3C Up- arrangement planned for the Orion II. relocated to NAS Barbers Point, date III's, the Korean Orions differ Hawaii. Update IV is the largest avionics from standard Update III configura- These reductions will also affect upgrade ever undertaken by the Navy tion in the areas of computer process- the number of P-3 Orions in service for its P-3 Orions. ing, ESM and Radar systems. The with the US Navy. Approximately 300 Although these programmes con- Korean purchase is a direct, commer- P-3 Alpha and Bravo models will retire tinue to progress, military budget cuts cial sale with major mission-systems from operational service. The Alphas are being announced. It's uncertain and logistical support via a Navy FMS were directed to be out of service by what extent these cuts will have on the (Foreign Military Sales) CASE. The October 1991, with the exception of Update IV and Orion II projects. production schedule is currently on special-purpose, research-develop- track with the first delivery in 1995. USN MPA Force Level 3 ment, test-and-evaluation organiza- US Navy budget cuts have taken tions such as: NAWC-AD (NADC), Pakistan their toll on its Maritime Patrol com- PMTC and NASC. Bravos will con- In 1991, Pakistan was to receive munity in the last year. Under the tinue to be flown in support roles in three P-3C (Update II.75) Orions it "Force Reduction Plan" developed by many areas of the community. ordered several years before. Lockheed

SEPTEMBER 1992 MARITIME PATROL AVIATION PAGE 63 built the aircraft, but delivery was than capable of providing Aurora to approximately 30 aircraft, with # 42 frozen by the US Government, due to logistics support, ferrying spare parts, Squadron planning to stand down in the enactment of the Pressler Sanc- sonobuoys (stored in the aircraft's 48 1992). tions. Passed by Congress in October non-functional sonobuoy cutes) and In January 1992, the Ministry of 1990, the Pressler Amendment states personnel to deployed bases. Defense issued an Air Staff Require- that before any FMS sale to Pakistan Potential Customers ment for the Nimrod to be replaced. takes place, it must be accompanied by Numerous other nations have Since the cancellation of the P-7A, of a certificate from the (Bush) Ad- recently expressed interest in obtaining which the UK had requested 25, the ministration, that Pakistan "Does not P-3 Orions. RAF has been conducting preliminary possess a nuclear explosive device." To Potential new Orion operators in- talks regarding the P-3 as their next date, no certification has come forth. clude Germany and the UK (RAF) Maritime Patrol aircraft. As a result, on January 22,1992, which have both been desperately seek- The RAF would prefer Orion IIs, the US Navy's VP-30 (Guardians of ing Maritime Patrol aircraft but would consider the P-3C UPdate the aircraft) flew the three Pakistan replacements since the cancellation of III if the Orion II was not approved. Orions to AMARC (The Desert Air- the P-7A programme. Saudi Arabia - Italy craft Storage Facility) at Davis - Mon- Germany Other new product customers are than AFB in Arizona. They will be Germany has continued discus- Saudi Arabia and Italy. Both are in- preserved there, in the desert, for long- sions since the P-7 programme, and is terested in the P-3C Update III or the term storage pending resolution of the interested in acquiring the US Navy's advanced upgrade package of the Pressler Sanctions. current Orion configuration. Even Orion II. Any preliminary program- Canada though that would be the P-3C Update mes are currently being developed 1992 also saw Canada receive III, an Update IV package like the through Lockheed's International Pro- three new, long-awaited CP-140A Orion II is more desired. Any German grammes Office. Arcturus long-range surveillance air- Orion programme would be either a Greece craft based on the Aurora/Orion direct, commercial sale with an FMS Greece, as part of a military airframe. CASE for mission avionics and logistic defence agreement (signed in July The aircraft will be delivered to support or a full FMS sale. This would 1990), will receive upwards of thirteen CFB Greenwood by Lockheed from depend upon which configuration is P-3 Orions. The Greek Government the IMP facility in Halifax, where they approved for the sale. An Update III will exchange retention of US bases, have been undergoing avionics installa- programme could have an initial for ships and aircraft, of which the P-3 tion, interior outfitting and an all-over delivery schedule before the German acquisition is part. grey paint job. Navy's deadline of FY 97. The Orions will be modified with The CP-l4OAs will take over United Kingdom TACNAVMOD packages as well as sovereignty and northern territory The United Kingdom is another the TP-3 Orion (P-3C UPdate II.5) patrols, the programme. The currently straining refugee of the P-7A cockpit. Maritime Auroras. The Arcturus will Nimrod MR.2 Maritime Patrol RAF Eight mission P-3A's, one Utility also be utilized SAR, coastal was expected to last into for aircraft that and four additional airframes (for surveillance and fisheries-protection the next century, will not - suffering ground training and spare parts missions. premature fatigue and corrosion. (UK sources) are planned, with a delivery The new CP-14OA's are more budget cuts have also reduced the fleet scheduled for the 1994-95 time frame. There is also a current plan (pending result of a study and approval) to lease four P-3B TACNAVMOD Orions to Greece as an interim measure until the delivery of the P-3As. Turkey In a similar programme to Greece, the Turkish Navy has also been offered P-3 Orions. Representatives from Turkey were in the US for visual inspections and meetings during February 1992. The pending Pro- gramme calls for ten P-3A TACNAV- with 30fi)-gallon water/chemical Aero Union has modified most of their P-3 Orion "Aerostars" MOD Orions, eight mission aircraft retardant tanks for wild fire suppression. (Aero Union) and two spare airframes. A similar

1992 PAGE 64 MARITIME PATROL AVIATION SEPTEMBER modification package to Greece is ex- other aircraft. Hence the Bravos! most of their nine p-3 Orion pected. A site-survey inspection is The proposed surplus Orions "AEROSTARS,, with 3000 gallon planned for the Fall 1992. would be stripped of all sensor sta- (water/chemical retardant) tanks for Thailand tions. Modifications would include wildfire suppression. Hawkins & Thailand has ordered five ex- seating-tracks from just behind the Powers and Blackhills Aviation are Navy Alphas for use with the Royal cockpit to all the way aft, the Tp-3 currently studying options for their Thai Navy. Two of the aircraft will be Orion (Update II.5) cockpit and engine Orions. Although operational p-3 air designated "P-3T" Orions and flown conversion to T56-A-14 Turboprops tankers are desirable, both are con- on Maritime Patrol/ocean-surveillance via retro-fit kits. There is even a pro- sidering utilizing their P-3 Orion,s missions. A third Orion, designated posal for a cargo door modification ac- power plants to re-engineP-2 Neptune "UP-3T" will be used for training and commodating light equipment fire fighters. logistics, while the remaining airframes transport, (mods to be performed by NASA, at Wallops Island Flight will be cut up and delivered as "spare- NADEP Jacksonville as early as Fall Facility, acquired two P-3B Orions parts" birds. tee2). during 1991. One Bravo was recently Argentina The Thai Orions were modified with the "EFIS" (Electronic scheduled Argentina has recently expressed Flight Instrumentation System) known to receive extensive modifications in- interest in P-3's. Although still cluding the TP-3 Orion (P-3C Update as the Glass Cockpit. This P-3B will be preliminary, it seems likely they are II.5) cockpit, utilized as an airborne, remote-sensing a new NAVCOM station looking for a possible replacement for platform for scientific research and and standard TACNAVMOD sensor their Lockheed Electras. Procured package. The replaces the aging "NP-3A" Orion UP-3T is to be equipped soon after the Falklands War, the Elec- that retired in early 1992. with the "SEN/TEC', (Combined tras were utilized for Maritime recon- Acoustic Sensor and Tacco System) naissance and SIGINT missions. Fleet Upgrades and Modifications station developed by NADEP Many older Brazil Orion operators are Jacksonville. This compact sensor currently upgrading and updating their Brazil is another South American package is part of a plan to re-modify Orions. the aircraft as a "VP-3T" VIP customer interested in Orions. Brazil requested Australia transport aircraft at a later date. has eight P-3 TACNAV- RAAF Orions have been involv- However, due to budget concerns, MOD Orion aircraft. A price and ed in many improvement projects in the Thai Orions are now to receive a availability estimate was forwarded to the last year. The Vis" (visual) smaller MOD package than planned, Brazil in early 1992 and a response is "Low markings recently relying on most of the USN Bravo's expected soon. displayed on RAAF Orions, and an experimental three- original equipment. Royal Thai Navy Chile tone grey tactical paint scheme current- # 2 Squadron will fly the Orions from The Chilean Navy has recently ly testing on one P-3C, resembles a Thai Naval Air Station Utopao. shown a strong interest in used P-3 greyer version of the Portuguese US Navy Foreign Military Sales of Orions. Representatives from Chile pattern. have visited the US several times for Surplus Orions RAAF Orions were the first to test visual inspections, and meetings, with Several potential Orion customers the new ARL-T56 smoke-reduction a plan to submit a formal request in are interested in ex-Navy surplus system, developed by Defense late 1992. Though still preliminary Orions. The US Navy FMS office has a Technologies of Australia (a pro- programme, Chile is interested in eight negotiated with many of these coun- prietary limited company jointly own- Orions ASW tries requesting used P-3 Orion UP-3 with no ed by the Commonwealth of Australia capabilities. The Orions would be airframes. us- and the Pacific Aviation). The T56 Australia ed for SAR, drug and coastal, fisheries reduction system modification - surveillance operations. Australia is currently planning to eliminates up to 8090 of smoke emis- acquire three to four P-3 Bravos for Non-Military Operators sions by the Allison T56 turboprop logistics and pilot training tasks. This Besides the US Navy, Orion ac- engines. Features of this smoke- is part of an effort to increase the tivity has increased with the addition reduction system include added fuel fatigue life of their 19 P-3C (Update of many new Orion operators. savings and less air-polluting emis- II.5) Orions. Domestic civilian companies like sions. The project has already won the Since the crash of an RAAF P-3C Aero Union Corporation, Blackhills company an environmental award. in May 1990, the RAAF has been Aviation and Hawkins & Powers Avia- The first engine flight-tested was evaluating their Orions' fatigue status tion airborne fire fighting businesses on an RAAF P-3C Orion. As of early and concluded that the P-3C's opera- have received a combined total of 1992, thirteen Orion and two C-130 tional life could be extended by twelve P-3A Orions via the US Forest Hercules engines have been modified relegating logistics/crew transport to Service. Aero Union has modified with the smoke-reduction system.

SEPTEMBER 1992 MARITIME PATROL AVIATION PAGE 65 ixixxitii'ffi iiiitiriiiiiliii times the memory capacity of the ex- isting system. Future projects include the "OBSC" onboard structural computer. It will generate aircraft structural data as part of a fatigue-life management study, to extend operational service life of the Aurora. Canadians will also adopt the T56 smokeless-engine mod, which reduces smoke trails and emissions, with increased fuel economy. Completion of this modification is scheduled for late 1992. The CAF is also testing a GPS "Global Positioning System" current - KAWASAKI has produced three EP-3C Electronic/Signal Warfare Orion varient aircraft for the ly installed on an Aurora testberi Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.'Though similar in mission to the US Navy's EP-3E' the belonging to MP & EU Development JMSDF EP-3C differs in the utilization of blisters to house antennas and radars, instead of the Squadron. They are evaluating the American-type canoe Pods. (JMSDT) feasibility of integration of the GPS system into the aircraft. Despite these Another Australian Orion im- system. Test flights will commence in improvements, the main Aurora provement project involves a new October 1992 and,later (June 1993), "Mid-Life" update programme has "ESM System" for the RAAF. nine more Orions will be fitted with the been postponed for five years (until The new ESM system (develoPed production version of the ESM system. 1999) in an effort to consider the needs by AWA Defense Industries) is task- By December 1994, the prototype air- of the CAF Maritime Force. ed with detecting submarine transmis- craft will be re-equipped with the pro- Japan sions, assisting in missile launches duction system. After approval of a The Japanese Maritime Self- (over-the-horizon-targeting) and alert continuation contract, all remaining Defense Force (JMSDF) continues to warnings of potential hostile aircraft P-3 Orions will be outfitted with the receive P-3C Orions from Kawasaki or weapons threats while creating and new ESM system. Heavy Industries, under license from managing a surveillance, elec- The RAAF is also preparing to Lockheed. By the end of 1992, the tromagnetic, tactical picture of the bat- put out a bid for an entire avionics JMSDF will have received approx- tle area. upgrade of their P-3C II.5 Orions. The imately 88 Orions. Though most are The system includes a 19", col- project will include all-new sensors and Update II.5 models, the last ten are of our, telegraphic (dynamic) display processors: a totally new package, the new Update III configuration. The unit, and the installation of sub- greater than the Update III's JMSDF "Maritime Staff Office" is systems electronics into various racks capabilities and equal, in some aspects, now planning an UPdate IV Pro- with new under-fuselage and wingtip to the upcoming Boeing Orion "Up- gramme for earlY 1999.In the mean- antennas and arrays. The main impor- date IV" programme. time, the "MSO" is seeking aPProval tant feature is the adding of a new crew Specifications will be announced for an interim upgrade project for an station dedicated to ESM manage- by the RAAF and it will be up to the advanced, state-of-the-art avionics ment. potential contractor to pick the systerns suite as a steP towards anY future The "section 4" ESM station will that best fit the RAAF's specification update. be located stightly across from Section requirements. Kawasaki has also Produced three 3 and behind the TACCO on a P-3C Canada EP-3C Electronic/Signal Warfare Orion. This trend, of a dedicated ESM Besides the introduction of the Orion variant aircraft. Though similar operator, is catching on in the P-3 Arcturus into the fleet, the Canadian in mission to the US NavY's EP-3E, Orion user community. Portugal has Armed Forces have been imProving the Japanese EP-3C differs in the had a two-man Section 3 station with the Aurora through a series of utilization of blisters to house anten- a sole ESM operator for many years. projects. nas and radars, instead of the The RAAF ESM system was Current projects include, the American-type canoe Pods. The originally tested on a similar, baseline, WX- 1000 "STORMSCOPE" weather- EP-3C's are currentlY oPerated bY test-bed aircraft in Israel. That service reconnaissance system, produced by training support Squadron 81 with five is currently stripping a P-3C Orion and 3M, and the upgrading of the AYK-10 more aircraft expected by the end of will equip it with the prototype ESM computer with "CMOS," adding four 1994. The Japanese are also preparing

PAGE 66 MARITIME PATROL AVIATION SEPTEMBER 1992 another variant Orion for the near Spain SLICK and two P-3 AEW&C Orions, future. Designated "UP-3C," this Spain has decided, after a four acquired two surplus Navy p-3 Bravos utility Orion will be based on a new p-3B year study, to update its five during 1990-91. Charlie airframe. The aircraft will be Orions with an Update IV-type con- The airframes will be re- utilized by VX-51 Air Development figuration. The update programme will engineered by Lockheed as the next Squadron as an Airborne Systems utilize "domestic" Spanish industry, third and fourth P-3 AEW&C Early Testbed. providing systems capabilities equal to Warning and Control aircraft for the The Netherlands the American Boeing Update IV drug interdiction Air Branch of the US package. The Netherlands has been But, due to limited funding, Custom Service. The new Dome programme developing a plan to update their thir- the is now uncertain. Orions will be painted all-over tactical teen P-3C Update II.5 Orions, by the grey, deviating from the usual striking ,,C[rp,, United States end of the decade. This Customs paint Even AEW&C scheme. (Capabilities Update Programme) will in the US, several Orion The third P-3 AEW&C was afford the Dutch a commonality of operators have been conducting improvement programmes. delivered to the US Customs Corpus aircraft capabilities with those of other Christi Facility in June 7992, with the Orion operators. Depending on Key West-based (USN) VAQ-33 fourth aircraft delivery expected in Oc- budgets, the Update Programme will Fleet Electronic Warfare Training tober 1993. be of a similar type to that of the Boe- Squadron has modified two Navy P-3 Summary ing Update IV. Improvements will in- Bravos as "EP-3J" Orions. The EP-3J clude new avionics, the integrated Har- is an upgrade of the EP-3A's VAQ-33 The P-3 Orion has served the poon Missile System, Global position- used for simulating hostile Maritime ASW community for three decades, through the height of the ing (Navigation) System, and Aircraft P atr ol / r econnaissance aircraft. These Cold War, with distinction. guaranteed Defense (Chaff flare) PODS. aircraft project deceptive signals, and It its role in the future, showing off its superior There is a remote possibility that, jam Fleet communication,/counter- ASUW capabilities during the recent in lieu of updating their Orions, the measures systems in mock attacks on Gulf War. Dutch can sell or trade-in the thirteen Navy Battle Groups, for training With a marked aircraft towards a small number of purposes. increased utilization by other nations, the Orion has more advanced P-3's like the Orion II. The new designation comes "J" firmly established itself as the premier (It's a fact that the KON Marine's from new jamming equipment, install- Maritime Patrol aircraft now and in Orions have the lowest hours of any ed on a Bravo airframe, recently ac- the future!* P-3s of the same type: a welcome quired by the Squadron. feature any potential Orion to The US Navy is also conducting customer). a "Conversion-in-lieu-of- procure- Norway ment" modification programme of the In October 1991, Norway receiv- EP-3E Electronic/Signal Warfare ed the first of two "P-3N" Orions. Orions. Designated ARIES II, the P-3N's are re-engineered Norwegian MOD is comprised of upgraded, &d- Bravos with the acoustic-sensor station vanced systems incorporated into a removed. Modifications include P-3C airframe. strengthened floors and seating tracks. Three of the advanced ARIES IIs New electronics encompass a new are now in service with VQ-l and radar display and more modern ESM VQ-2, with several more expected later ABOAT THE AUTHOR equipment added to the sensor 3 sec- in 1992. Originalty modified at tion, with new HF radios installed in Dovid Reode is a full-time, free-lance ovia- Lockheed's AEROMOD Facility in tion journalist whoformed "p-3 publications" the Bravo's Navigator station. Greenville, South Carolina, continua- in 1989 os o meons to write obout p-i Orions, The P-3N's will be utilized for tion of the modification programme and hos produced numerow, published orticles pilot training, Coast Guard fisheries has been transferred to the Navy's Air- on the subject. Mr. Reade has also researched, compiled and written an p-3 patrols, special operations and VIp craft Repair Depot NADEP at NAS authoritative Bureau Number (buNo) list, noting current loca- passenger Alameda, California. The older EP-3E transport. tion of oll foreign and domestic Orion aircraft. ARIES I Orions, modified on Alpha The list The second P-3N was completed also includes miscellaneous information airframes, have been obout porticular airframes not normolly in May 1992. stripped and found scrapped, as the newer EP-3s are in aircraft listings. Updoted quarterly, this list Norway is also considering equip- introduced. is utilized by severol Navy departments ond Navy controctors os "An Outstanding P-3 Reference', ping their new P-3C IIIs with radar The US Custom Service, current- where no single Orion reference guide was and processor upgrades. ly operating four modified P-3A available before.

PAGE 68 MARIT!ME PATROL AVIATION SEPTEMBER 1992