iscoverIn Focus
Profile: AP-3C Orion
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After completing 10 years of service in the Middle East in 2012, the AP-3C Orion aircraft, which is considered the best maritime patrol aircraft in the world, is now based at the RAAF Base Edinburgh and is deployed for many high-profile missions. While it is set to retire soon, being replaced by the P-8A Poseidon and MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the “quiet achiever” jet has a long career involved in operations Resolute (2006), Gateway (1980) and Solania (1988), supporting border protection and fisheries patrols within South-East Asia and Pacific regions. Mixed emotions of its retirement have continued to circulate, as many pilots say waving goodbye to the aircraft feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.
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While it lives its last days, the aircraft will never be forgotten due to its incredible capabilities. Orion boasts many advanced features, with an array of versatile capabilities, like land and maritime surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. Its gleaming features include a digital multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optics detectors (infra-red and visual), magnetic anomaly detectors, friend or foe identification systems and acoustic detectors. It flies a maximum speed of 750 kilometres per hour, is powered by four Allison T56-A-14 engines and has a 30.8 -metre wingspan.
The Orion first entered into the RAAF’s service in 1968 as its earlier P-3B model. The P-3C variant was then introduced in 1978, and the current type entered into service in 2002.
Career highlight: The Orion is a familiar aircraft on the news and is particularly famous for its primary use in the search for the still-missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. Several were also used for essential purposes during the Cold War.
Last seen: Most recently, in August last year, the No. 10 Squadron, which operates the Orion aircraft from the RAAF Base in Edinburgh in South Australia won the Duke of Gloucester Cup in 2021 by the Chief of Air Force for the Most Proficient Flying Unit of 2020.
Fleet: 18
Purchased: 1968 (first type)
Length: 36m
Height: 10.4m
Speed: 750km/h
Operated by: No. 10 Squadron
Based: RAAF Base Edinburgh
Range: 4,408km/h
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